Court Bundle Preparation: Guide for Social Workers

What is a Court Bundle?

A court bundle is the collection of documents prepared for family court proceedings. It's the reference document that the judge and all parties use during the hearing. A well-prepared bundle helps the court understand the case and make informed decisions.

In care proceedings, the applicant (local authority) is responsible for preparing the bundle, though this is often done by legal services with input from the social worker.

Standard Bundle Structure

The standard family court bundle follows the President's Direction on bundles and should be organised as follows:

Section A: Preliminary Documents

• Case summary
• Chronology
• Threshold document
• Schedule of issues
• Position statements

Section B: Applications and Orders

• Application form (C110A)
• All court orders made in the proceedings

Section C: Statements and Reports

• Social work statements
• Guardian's analysis
• Expert reports
• Parents' statements
• Other parties' statements

Section D: Medical Records/Police

• Medical reports and records
• Police records

Section E: Other Evidence

• Relevant correspondence
• School reports
• Care plans
• Contact records (if relevant)

Preparing Bundle Documents

Pagination

• Every page must be numbered
• Pagination should be continuous throughout the bundle
• Use a clear format (e.g., C1, C2, C3 for Section C)

Indexing

• Create a clear index at the front of the bundle
• List each document with its section letter and page number
• Update the index whenever documents are added

Dividers

• Use tabbed dividers for each section
• Label dividers clearly

The Chronology

The chronology is one of the most important bundle documents. It should:

• Be in date order
• Include all significant events
• Reference the source of information
• Be accurate and verified
• Be agreed between parties where possible

What to Include

• Key family events (births, relationships, separations)
• Referrals and involvement
• Significant concerns and incidents
• Assessments and their outcomes
• Key meetings and decisions
• Court proceedings

The Threshold Document

The threshold document sets out how the Section 31 threshold is met. It should:

• State the threshold grounds clearly
• List specific facts relied upon
• Cross-reference to evidence in the bundle
• Identify which facts are agreed and which disputed

Social Work Documents

Your Statements

Make sure your statements are:

• Paginated and dated
• Signed (with statement of truth)
• Filed on time
• Free of errors

Care Plans

The care plan should be in the correct template format and updated for each hearing.

Assessments

Include completed assessments referenced in statements.

Electronic Bundles

Most family courts now use electronic bundles:

• Bundle should be in PDF format
• Use bookmarks for navigation
• Ensure pages are searchable (OCR if needed)
• Use clear file naming conventions
• Check the bundle can be opened and read

Updating the Bundle

When to Update

• Before each hearing
• When new statements are filed
• When new orders are made
• When circumstances change significantly

Supplementary Bundles

For additional documents filed after the main bundle, prepare a supplementary bundle with clear indexing.

Common Mistakes

Poor Organisation

• Documents in wrong sections
• Missing or incorrect page numbers
• No index or incorrect index

Incomplete Bundles

• Missing documents referenced in statements
• Documents without dates
• Unsigned statements

Excessive Material

• Including every case note
• Duplicating documents
• Including irrelevant material

The Social Worker's Role

Providing Documents

• Provide statements on time
• Ensure care plans are updated
• Supply any supporting documents requested

Checking Accuracy

• Review the chronology for accuracy
• Check your statements are correct
• Alert legal if you spot errors

Working with Legal

• Respond promptly to requests for documents
• Clarify any queries
• Provide context where needed

Timescales

Bundles must be filed with the court by the deadline set in directions—usually 7 days before the hearing for electronic bundles. Missing this deadline can delay hearings and attract criticism from the court.

Conclusion

A well-prepared court bundle helps the court understand the case and make good decisions. While legal services usually prepare the bundle, social workers play a crucial role in providing accurate, timely documents and checking the bundle's accuracy. Taking care with bundle preparation reflects professionalism and supports better outcomes for children.