If your case is going to a hearing, you may be asked to prepare a court bundle. It sounds technical, but the idea is simple: everyone in the room should be looking at the same documents, in the same order, on the same page numbers.

What is a court bundle?

A court bundle is an organised set of the documents the judge and the parties will refer to at a hearing. It has an index at the front, the documents are divided into sections, and every page is numbered so anyone can turn straight to it. A bundle can be a paper file or an electronic PDF, depending on what the court asks for.

Who has to prepare it?

It depends on the type of case and on what the court has ordered. Often the person who made the application is responsible, but not always. If you’re representing yourself, read your court order or directions carefully: they usually say who prepares the bundle, what format it should be in and when it must be sent.

What usually goes in a bundle?

The exact structure depends on the court and the type of case, but most bundles follow a similar pattern:

  • Index listing every document and its page number.
  • Preliminary documents, such as a case summary, chronology and position statements.
  • Applications and orders made so far in the case.
  • Statements and evidence from the parties and any witnesses.
  • Expert or professional reports, if there are any.
  • Other relevant documents, such as key correspondence.

In family cases, Practice Direction 27A sets out how bundles should be prepared and generally limits them to 350 pages unless the court allows more. Other courts have their own rules, so always check what applies to your case.

Practical tips

  • Number every page consecutively through the whole bundle, not section by section.
  • Keep sections in date order so the story of the case is easy to follow.
  • Only include what’s needed. Extra documents make it harder for the judge to find what matters.
  • For electronic bundles, use a single searchable PDF with bookmarks for each section, and make sure the PDF page numbers match the bundle page numbers.
  • Watch the deadline. Bundles usually have to be filed and shared a set number of days before the hearing.

How we can help

Preparing a bundle takes time, especially with a lot of paperwork. Our court and matter bundle service organises your documents in the format the court sets out, so your papers are in order and ready for your hearing.