Begin with the order and the issues
Write down the requirements from the tribunal’s order: responsibility, format, contents, timetable and delivery. Identify the issues in the case before selecting documents. A file can be important to you emotionally without helping the tribunal answer a disputed question. Keep your originals separately; the working bundle is a presentation of documents, not a replacement for your records.
Create a document register
Use a table with date, document name, source, relevant issue and proposed location. Give duplicate copies a clear status so you do not add the same letter three times. For an email chain, check that the relevant messages and attachments are present and legible. Avoid changes that obscure the original document or make its source unclear.
Check the agreed version
Record which version is being used. Check the index against the file and the visible page numbering against the page references in your notes. Do not assume a PDF viewer’s page number matches the printed bundle number. Open scans at normal reading size; a file that looks acceptable as a thumbnail may be unreadable at the hearing.
Run a ten-document rehearsal
Choose ten documents that matter to your case. Ask yourself to locate each by its bundle reference, without searching your inbox. If the process is slow, improve the index or your working notes. This rehearsal tests usability and often catches missing attachments, inverted scans and inconsistent page references before they become a hearing problem.
Handle a missing document promptly
Keep a clear note of the document, why it matters and whether it has been requested. Follow the tribunal’s directions and appropriate procedure for any dispute about inclusion or disclosure. Do not quietly insert a new file into an agreed bundle or assume the tribunal will resolve the issue during the hearing.
Move from documents to presentation
Once the bundle is settled, cross-check your statement and hearing notes. Each key assertion should lead you to the right page. The Employment Tribunal book is the relevant volume for readers who want a connected preparation process, from the early stages to the hearing itself. Check the Amazon sample before buying.
Sources & scope
Checked on 8 October 2026. Follow your tribunal’s directions and jurisdiction-specific rules. Examples on this page are fictional and illustrate preparation methods, not legal outcomes.
Edition notes and current-rule checks · General information, not individual legal advice.