Your court bundle

About a 4-minute read

In short

The bundle is the set of documents everyone uses at the hearing, numbered so everyone is on the same page.
If the other parent has a solicitor, their solicitor usually prepares it. You'll need to send them your documents in time.
If neither of you has a lawyer, check the court's order. The court will often say who should do it.
The rules are in Practice Direction 27A. Bundles are usually limited to 350 pages.

What goes in it

A family court bundle normally has these sections, in this order:

Preliminary documents: a case summary, a list of issues, a chronology, position statements, and a list of who's who
Applications and orders: the C100, C1A, C2 and every court order so far
Statements and evidence: witness statements and their exhibits
Reports: the Cafcass safeguarding letter, section 7 report, any expert or test results
Other documents: for example school or medical records, if the court has allowed them

How to put one together

Put documents in the order above, with the newest last in each section.
Number every page, all the way through, for example A1, A2 … B1, B2.
Add an index at the front listing every document, its date and its page numbers.
Most courts now want an electronic bundle: one PDF with bookmarks for each section. Check the order or ask the court.
Only include documents the court has said can be used. Don't add new evidence without permission.

Your own copy

Even if the other side prepares the bundle, bring your own copy to court, with sticky tabs on the pages you'll want to point to. Write the page numbers of key points on your notes so you can say "page B12, paragraph 4" quickly.

Deadlines

The court's order will say when the bundle must be ready, usually a few working days before the hearing. If you're sending documents to the other side's solicitor to include, send them well before that and ask them to confirm they've received them.

This guide is general information about private children cases in England and Wales, checked in October 2026. It isn't legal advice for your situation. Rules and fees change, and every case is different. If you're unsure, ask the court, or speak to a solicitor. Some parents qualify for legal aid, especially where there's domestic abuse.