What is required for a witness statement to ensure legal validity?

For a witness statement to ensure legal validity, following a formal procedure is essential. This entails taking the statement in a structured manner, which often includes specific protocols such as identifying the witness, documenting their contact information, and ensuring that the statement is recorded truthfully and thoroughly. A formal procedure typically involves creating a detailed record of the witness's account, including the context, events, any observations made, and appropriate signatures. This rigor helps establish the credibility of the statement and contributes to its admissibility in court.

While the other options touch on various elements related to witness statements, they do not provide the necessary structure or legal weight that a formal procedure guarantees. Informal conversations may lead to valuable information but lack the formal acknowledgment required for legal proceedings. Familiarity with the case by the witness can enhance the quality of the statement but does not ensure that it holds up in a legal context. Similarly, a written statement is important, but without following a formal procedure for its creation and documentation, its legal validity could be compromised. Thus, adhering to a formal procedure is central to ensuring the reliability and acceptance of the witness statement in legal contexts.