What is a hearing bundle?

How to Prepare a Hearing Bundle: A Step by Step Guide for Direct Access Clients

If you have a court date coming up, one of the first practical jobs you may face is preparing a hearing bundle. Knowing how to prepare a hearing bundle properly matters, because a clear, well organised bundle helps the judge follow your case and shows you have come to court ready. This page explains what a hearing bundle is and who prepares it, and then points you to our free step by step guide and checklist, written in plain English for people instructing a barrister directly.

Our free guide walks you through the whole process in eight simple steps and includes a print and tick checklist to help you walk into court prepared. [Download the free guide]

What is a hearing bundle?

A hearing bundle, sometimes called a court bundle or a trial bundle, is a single organised set of the documents that the court and everyone in the case will use at your hearing. Every document is placed in a logical order, every page is numbered, and a contents page at the front tells everyone exactly where to find each item.

Think of it as the agreed folder of papers for your case. When the judge says "please turn to page 24", everyone is looking at the same thing. A messy or late bundle can cause delay and frustration, and in some cases can lead to a hearing being put off, so it is worth getting right.

Who is responsible for preparing the hearing bundle?

In most cases the person who started the proceedings, the applicant or claimant, is responsible for preparing the bundle, unless the court orders otherwise. There are exceptions. In some family proceedings, for example, where the applicant is representing themselves and the other party has a lawyer, the represented party may be directed to prepare it. Your directions order will always tell you who is responsible in your case.

If you have instructed a barrister directly through Direct Access, your barrister can advise you on what to include and check the bundle before it goes to court. If you are not sure how that works, see our guide on what Direct Access is and how to instruct a barrister without a solicitor.

Get the full step by step guide

Rather than working it out as you go, you can follow our free downloadable guide from start to finish. It takes you through reading your court directions, gathering and ordering your documents, building an index, numbering the pages, staying within the page limit, preparing a digital bundle, and filing and serving on time. It finishes with a court ready checklist you can print and tick off before your hearing date.

Eight simple steps plus a print and tick checklist, written for Direct Access clients. [Download the free guide]

How a direct access barrister can help

Preparing a bundle can feel daunting when it is your first time in court. A Direct Access barrister can review your bundle, tell you what to include, and make sure you are fully prepared for your hearing. Through Direct Access you can instruct a specialist barrister directly, without needing to go through a solicitor first, which is often a faster and more cost effective route.

Barrister Connect, part of The Barrister Group, matches you with the right specialist for your case and confirms a clear fixed fee before any work begins. You can read how the process works or get in touch to discuss your hearing.

Not sure your bundle is right? Speak to a specialist Direct Access barrister who can check your bundle and prepare you for your hearing. [Instruct a barrister]

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a hearing bundle and a trial bundle?
They are essentially the same thing: an organised, paginated set of the documents used at a court hearing. The term trial bundle is more common in civil cases, while family and other proceedings tend to use the term hearing bundle or court bundle.

Who pays for preparing the bundle?
Preparing the bundle is usually the responsibility of the applicant or claimant, and the cost of copying and preparation ordinarily falls to whoever prepares it, unless the court orders otherwise. If a barrister prepares or reviews the bundle for you, that work would be part of your agreed fee.

Can I prepare a hearing bundle myself as a litigant in person?
Yes. Many people representing themselves prepare their own bundle. The key is to follow your directions order carefully, keep the bundle relevant and well ordered, and number every page. Our free guide takes you through each step, and a Direct Access barrister can review it for you if you want reassurance that it is right.

How long can a hearing bundle be?
It depends on the court and case type. In family proceedings the default limit under Practice Direction 27A is 350 pages unless the court gives permission to exceed it. Whatever the limit, a focused bundle that contains only relevant documents is always more effective than a long one.

What happens if my bundle is late?
Late bundles can cause real problems and, in some cases, a hearing being adjourned. Deadlines are strict, so aim to have your bundle finished well before the date in your order and file and serve it on time.

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Bundle requirements vary between courts and cases, and specific rules and deadlines apply to your proceedings. Always follow the directions made in your own case and take advice on your individual situation. Barrister Connect is part of The Barrister Group.