Court bundles under PD27A (2026 revision) — what self-representing parties need to know

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-30

A court bundle is the paginated, indexed file of documents the judge reads at a hearing. Since 2 March 2026, a comprehensively rewritten Practice Direction 27A governs how bundles must be prepared in family proceedings in England and Wales. If you are representing yourself, the bundle rules matter: a non-compliant bundle can get your hearing adjourned. This guide covers the essentials. It is general information, not legal advice.

What changed in March 2026

E-bundles are now the norm. Paper bundles are for "exceptional circumstances" only
The rules are split by case type: - Financial remedy proceedings (Chapter 6): pages numbered in ordinary consecutive Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3 …) - Non-financial-remedy proceedings — children cases, domestic abuse applications, adoption (Chapter 7): Bates numbering — each section restarts with a letter, so the first section runs A1, A2, A3…, the second B1, B2, B3…, and so on
A hyperlinked index, bookmarked and OCR-searchable PDF is expected
Font: Arial or Times New Roman, 12 point (11 point minimum for footnotes)
The bundle should normally be no more than 350 pages (roughly one A4 lever-arch file)

The fixed section order (non-financial-remedy cases)

| Section | Contents | |---|---| | A | Preliminary documents and case management documents | | B | Applications and orders (sealed or approved) | | C | Statements and affidavits (dated, without exhibits) | | D | Care plans (where applicable) | | E | Expert and professional reports (Cafcass/section 7, medical, expert) | | F | Other documents as directed |

Financial remedy bundles follow their own structure under Chapter 6 and should include the FM5 (statement of position on non-court dispute resolution) in the preliminary documents section.

Documents that must NOT go in the bundle

The revised PD27A expressly excludes:

Correspondence between legal representatives (and letters of instruction to experts)
Copies of emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages or any social media communications
Voice notes or other recordings
Photographs

If a text message or photograph genuinely matters to your case, it must be put into a witness statement or exhibit referenced within it — not pasted loose into the bundle.

Who prepares the bundle

Normally the applicant — but if the applicant is a litigant in person, the first represented respondent must take the lead
Where all parties are litigants in person, the direction will say who (if anyone) must prepare it — raise practical difficulties with the court early; the PD recognises that LiPs may not have the software or skills, and the court should give directions that are realistic

Practical checklist for LiPs

[ ] Ask the court or check the order for the bundle timetable — filing deadlines are set case-by-case; comply or apply in time for an extension
[ ] Number every page — Bates (A1, B1…) for children cases; consecutive for financial remedy
[ ] Build a hyperlinked index at the front; bookmark each document in the PDF
[ ] Run OCR so the text is searchable
[ ] Keep it under 350 pages unless the court directs otherwise — ask the judge to approve a longer bundle if truly necessary
[ ] Only include documents that are relevant, necessary, or will be referred to at the hearing — padding causes adjournments
[ ] File by the deadline — the PD expects filing no later than 11am one working day before the hearing for e-bundles where no other direction applies; check your order

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, the judiciary, or gov.uk. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Always read the current PD27A and your case's directions — bundle requirements are case-specific.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.