If you’re preparing for an employment tribunal, the way you organise your documents can make a huge difference. Tribunals are about evidence — and presenting it clearly can help the judge and panel follow your case, show your professionalism, and reduce stress on the day.
Lawyers are trained to build neat, structured “bundles” of documents that make their arguments easy to follow. The good news is that you don’t need a lawyer to do this yourself — with the right approach, you can prepare your paperwork just as effectively.
This guide will walk you through how to organise your tribunal documents step by step, from creating a master list of evidence to presenting a professional bundle that supports your case.
Why Document Organisation Is So Important
Tribunals are about facts and evidence. Even if you have a strong case, presenting your documents in a messy or confusing way can make it harder for the judge and panel to see your side clearly.
Benefits of being organised
- Clarity: A well-structured bundle helps the tribunal follow your story without confusion.
- Credibility: Professional presentation shows you are prepared and serious about your case.
- Confidence: Having documents in order reduces stress and makes it easier for you to argue your case.
- Efficiency: Saves time during the hearing, as you and the judge can quickly find the right evidence.
Risks of poor organisation
- Key evidence could be missed or overlooked.
- You may look unprepared, even if your arguments are strong.
- The tribunal may become frustrated if documents are hard to navigate.
Key takeaway: Good organisation isn’t just about neatness — it directly impacts how effectively your case is understood.
Start with a Master List of Evidence
Before you can build a professional tribunal bundle, you need to know exactly what documents you’ll be relying on. Creating a master list of evidence is the best place to start.
What to include
- Key documents: your contract, staff handbook, company policies.
- Correspondence: emails, letters, text messages, meeting notes.
- Internal processes: grievance letters, disciplinary notes, investigation reports.
- Financial records: payslips, P60s, bank statements if pay is an issue.
- Medical evidence: fit notes, occupational health reports, GP letters.
- Witness statements: written statements from colleagues or others who support your case.
How to organise your list
- Number each item (e.g., Doc 1: Contract of Employment, Doc 2: Grievance Letter).
- Record the date of each document so you can put them in order later.
- Keep the list in a spreadsheet or Word table — this will form the basis of your index for the bundle.
Pro tip: Start broad, then narrow it down. It’s better to list everything first and remove irrelevant items later than to forget something important.
How to Create a Tribunal Bundle
A tribunal bundle is the official, organised set of documents that all parties and the tribunal use during the hearing. It’s usually agreed between both sides, but if you’re representing yourself, you’ll often take the lead in preparing it.
What a bundle should contain
While the exact contents may vary, a standard tribunal bundle usually includes:
- Claim form (ET1) and the employer’s response (ET3)
- Chronology of events — a timeline of what happened
- List of issues — the key points the tribunal needs to decide
- Witness statements (yours and others)
- Key documents (e.g., contract, handbook, policies)
- Supporting evidence (emails, letters, notes, payslips, medical reports, etc.)
Structure and presentation
- Index: A contents page at the front listing each section and document with page numbers.
- Pagination: Number every page in order (e.g., 1, 2, 3… not per section).
- Order: Keep documents grouped logically and in chronological order within each section.
- Copies: Prepare enough sets for yourself, the tribunal panel, and the other side (usually at least 3).
Key takeaway: Think of your bundle as the “map” for your case — if it’s clear and easy to navigate, the tribunal can follow your arguments much more easily.
Organising Like a Lawyer: Best Practices
Lawyers use consistent methods to make tribunal bundles easy to read and reference. By following the same habits, you’ll present your evidence clearly and professionally.
Keep everything chronological
- Within each section, put documents in date order (earliest first).
- This helps the tribunal follow the story of what happened step by step.
Use clear labelling
- Add titles to documents (e.g., “Email from Manager, 12 March 2025”).
- Avoid vague labels like “Email 1” or “Document A.”
Make documents easy to find
- Paginate every page (1, 2, 3, etc.).
- Refer to documents by page number in your witness statement and at the hearing.
Highlight key evidence
- Use highlights or underlining (without altering the original meaning).
- Add sticky tabs or digital bookmarks for quick navigation.
Avoid clutter
- Don’t include irrelevant material.
- Remove duplicates unless both versions matter (e.g., draft vs. final policies).
Digital and paper copies
- Keep both a PDF version (with bookmarks if possible) and physical copies in a ring binder.
- Make sure both versions match exactly.
Pro tip: When you refer to a document during the hearing, say: “If you turn to page 45 of the bundle, you’ll see the grievance letter I submitted on 12 March 2025.” This makes you sound organised and professional.
Practical Tools and Templates
You don’t need expensive software to prepare a professional tribunal bundle — a few simple tools can save you time and make your documents look polished.
Templates
- Index template: Use a Word or Excel table with columns for Document number, Date, Title, and Page number.
- Chronology template: A simple timeline of events with dates, what happened, and references to supporting documents.
- Witness statement template: Ensures your evidence is clear and links directly to bundle page numbers.
Software
- PDF tools: Free or low-cost apps like Adobe Acrobat, PDF-XChange, or online tools let you merge, paginate, and bookmark documents.
- Spreadsheets: Excel or Google Sheets work well for keeping track of your master evidence list.
- Word processors: Use headings and page breaks to create a clean index.
Valla support
- Valla provides document templates, step-by-step guides, and coaching to help you structure your evidence like a lawyer would.
- The platform can save hours by giving you a ready-made framework instead of building everything from scratch.
Key takeaway: With the right templates and tools, you can prepare tribunal documents that look just as professional as a solicitor’s bundle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even strong cases can be weakened by poorly prepared documents. Avoid these common pitfalls when organising your tribunal bundle:
Not paginating properly
- Missing or inconsistent page numbers make it hard for the tribunal to follow your case.
- Always number pages consecutively from start to finish.
Including irrelevant material
- Adding every single email or document clutters the bundle.
- Focus on evidence that directly supports your claims.
Duplicates and confusion
- Don’t include multiple versions of the same document unless there’s a reason (e.g., to show how a policy changed).
- Otherwise, stick to the final or most relevant version.
Poor labelling
- Titles like “Email 1” or “Document A” make navigation difficult.
- Use clear descriptions and dates instead.
Missing deadlines
- Bundles usually need to be exchanged with the other side before the hearing.
- Missing deadlines can harm your case and frustrate the tribunal.
Pro tip: Keep your bundle lean, clear, and professional. The tribunal will thank you for making their job easier.
Presenting Your Bundle at the Tribunal
Once your bundle is prepared, the next step is knowing how to use it effectively during the hearing. A clear presentation shows professionalism and helps the tribunal understand your case.
Bring enough copies
- You’ll usually need at least three sets: one for you, one for the judge/panel, and one for the other side.
- It’s also wise to bring a spare copy for witnesses.
Refer to page numbers
- When speaking, direct the tribunal to the exact page:
“Please turn to page 52 of the bundle — this is the grievance letter I submitted on 12 March 2025.”
- This makes your arguments easier to follow and shows preparation.
Stay consistent
- Ensure your witness statement refers to documents by their bundle page numbers.
- Keep both digital and paper versions identical, so there’s no confusion.
Stay calm and organised
- Use tabs or sticky notes to mark key evidence.
- Have your chronology printed so you can quickly explain the sequence of events.
- If you lose your place, pause and check — staying composed matters more than rushing.
Key takeaway: Presenting your bundle like a lawyer means being precise, calm, and consistent. The easier you make it for the tribunal to follow your evidence, the stronger your case will appear.
Key Takeaways
- A well-organised bundle makes your case clearer, more credible, and easier to follow.
- Start with a master list of evidence, then build a bundle with an index and page numbers.
- Keep documents chronological, clearly labelled, and free of clutter.
- Use both digital and paper versions to stay prepared on the day.
- Avoid common mistakes like missing pagination, duplicates, or irrelevant material.
- During the hearing, always refer to page numbers and keep calm when presenting evidence.
Bottom line: You don’t need a lawyer to prepare professional tribunal documents. With the right structure and a bit of preparation, you can organise your evidence like a pro and give yourself the best chance of success.
Winning a tribunal isn’t just about having the right evidence — it’s about presenting it in a way that helps the judge and panel see your story clearly. By creating a structured bundle, numbering your pages, and keeping your documents lean and relevant, you’ll come across as organised, professional, and prepared.
The process might feel overwhelming at first, but with the right approach you can do this yourself — you don’t need to be a lawyer to present your case like one.
At Valla, we help workers take control of their cases with the same confidence as a solicitor. Our platform gives you:
- Templates for witness statements, indexes, and tribunal bundles.
- Step-by-step guides to walk you through the process.
- Coaching support to help you stay calm and organised.
Explore our Employment Tribunal resources, try a document template, or book a session with a Valla coach to prepare your bundle with confidence.