How to prepare a hearing bundle

A hearing bundle is the single, indexed and page-numbered set of documents that the judge and every party use at the hearing. It usually contains the claim and response, orders, witness statements and the relevant documents in date order. Who prepares it depends on the court's or tribunal's orders in your case, so always start with the directions.

Updated 24 October 2026. General information only, not advice on your situation.

What usually goes in

An index at the front
The claim, the response and any further statements of case
Orders and directions made in the case
Witness statements
The relevant documents, in date order

How to put it together

Read the order: it may say who prepares the bundle, the deadline, the format and any page limit
Agree the contents with the other side where you can
Order documents chronologically and remove duplicates
Number every page consecutively and match the index to the page numbers
For electronic bundles, use a single searchable PDF with bookmarks if the court asks for one

Who prepares it

In many civil claims the claimant is responsible for the trial bundle, and in employment tribunals the tribunal’s case management orders say who prepares it (often the respondent), so check the order in your case. If you are a litigant in person, ask for an agreed index early so there are no surprises.

How Courtwise can help

Courtwise Legal Guidance is an independent paralegal practice working by secure video across England and Wales. A free 15-minute introductory call is available to first-time clients. Bundle preparation for litigants in person →

Questions

Can I add documents to the bundle late?

Only with the other side's agreement or the court's permission. Late documents can be refused, so raise them as early as possible.

Official sources

Related guides

This guide is general information about the law and procedure in England and Wales. It is not legal advice and does not create a client relationship. Courtwise is not a firm of solicitors and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.