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Preparing a Trial Bundle and Index
Key information for litigants in person
Civil claims · Factsheet 15 of 17
What is a Trial Bundle and Index?
- Collection of relevant documents for the trial
- Organized in a specific order
- Usually in a ring binder or lever arch file
- Pages numbered at the bottom center
- Index: list of documents with page numbers
- Combines both sides’ documents
- Must be agreed with the other side
- Used by judge, defendant, and witnesses at trial
Who Prepares the Bundle?
- Usually the claimant (person who started the claim)
- If claimant is unrepresented, court may order the other side to prepare it
- Check court order for specific instructions
- You can ask the other side to prepare it
- Paid services available to produce bundle
- Ensure all your documents are included, even if the other side prepares the bundle
What to Include
- 1. Statements of case (claim form, defence, etc.)
- 2. Court orders in date order
- 3. Witness statements
- 4. Documents dealing with fault/responsibility
- 5. Documents about claim value
- 6. Medical reports (if applicable)
- 7. Other expert reports
- 8. Photographs and sketch plans
- 9. Any documents from List of documents
- 10. Include pre-claim documents if relevant
- 11. Never include original documents (bring to trial)
How to Prepare
- 1. Gather all relevant documents
- 2. Create index without page numbers
- 3. Send index to other side for agreement
- 4. Resolve any disputes over content
- 5. Number pages after agreement
- 6. Use dividers if over 100 pages
- 7. Print double-sided if possible
- 8. Check bundle against index
- 9. Make copies for court, other side, and yourself
- 10. Submit to court 3-7 days before trial (or as directed)
Top Tips
- Use numbered dividers for bundles over 100 pages
- Don’t number pages until the other side agrees to the content
- If adding documents after numbering, use letters (e.g., 61a, 61b)
- Remove staples before numbering
- Check for double-sided originals when copying
- Add blank pages to ensure new documents start on the right side
- Prepare one complete bundle before making copies
- Be familiar with where everything is in your bundle
- Keep emails showing attempts to agree bundle contents
- Consider using commercial services for large or complex bundles
Reviewed
August 2026
Source
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