How to win your case by making the judge's job as easy as possible.

BUNDLES of fun in today's episode! Sedley's Laws of Documents.

Disclaimer: Neither this nor any other video, may be taken as legal advice. I accept no liability whatever for any reliance placed upon it.

Founded by Alan Robertshaw and @Blackbeltbarrister

[alecturner]

Spending money on solicitors teaches you how to make a judge friendly bundle.
I sued a company for non payment, they turned up with a solicitor they hired that morning, I was advised to hire a junior barrister out of respect for the court (high court). The judge only spoke with my barrister asked her where each point was in the bundle, including my little clause where discounts were void if payment terms were not met. The judge asked if they had any comment, little bit of mumbling then we got 10 mins to discuss costs, we went for 95%.
Buggers went bust when the bailiffs went in.

[seancidy]

Many years ago I read an obit of a top barrister specializing in commercial law who had died at the pinnacle of his career. It went something like this 'Judges soon warmed to his organized, succinct style in which he made each point once and once only. Though he would have been able to command high fees, he did not represent firms who operated in legal grey areas of tax avoidance '.

[DeclanMBrennan]

So when a barrister says they made a bundle, they are not (just) boasting about their income.

[adecrowshaw]

Great to see you looking so much better, Al!

[joelhall]

I loved hearing that list of the Laws of Documents😂
Proof that even senior judges can still maintain a sense of humour

[jeremybarker]

Some years ago there was an Employment Tribunal Chairman (as they were called then) who had a habit of giving detailed instructions for the preparation of a bundle in directions. Woe betide you if you didn't comply exactly and he was hearing the case - if he found any discrepancy he would usually adjourn the hearing to another date and send the parties away to redo the bundle. Fortunately I was warned in advance about him and never had a problem.

[tomconneely]

I used to prepare bundles for a local authority. They were a chore.

[dottiedot]

I'm preparing a claim against my Housing Association atm and this is so helpful, thank you!

I previously took neighbours to magistrates court for an abatement order, and then had to take them back under criminal proceedings when they breached it. I won, but by far the most stressful bit was worrying about unintentionally organising the bundle in a way that made sense to me as a lay person, but that was nonsensical to the court.

As it was I did ok, but I think what clinched it was the shonky documents submitted by the Housing Association's in-house solicitor (who represented the neighbours) which did pretty much all the bad things you reeled off in this video. It made mine look amazing just by comparison 😁

[andrewhickton]

Your voice is definitely sounding stronger.
Grateful for the advice as allways.

[timhaines]

One of my favorites is documents larger than A4 which have been folded and then photocopied in A4 as folded so that they can't be read.

[Phantom-mkkp]

Looking like your health situation is improving, 👍👍

[mxclaireharris]

I was tried (thankfully they saw it was a malicious complaint) for something. First day I met my solicitor she asked for the bundle. I gave her a flat A4 envelope "no, this isn't the bundle, what else do you have?" I was puzzled this was all they'd given me. She pulls out the dozen pages "this is the bundle, they don't have a lot do they?"


Literally no evidence, no witnesses etc, prosecution solicitor on his own saying "well I put it that's not true" to us as his only evidence.

[Beckiner]

You’re looking better today Alan. So pleased you’re improving. Thank you for your videos.

[zedeeyen]

Been through family court twice as a LiP, when ex was represented. I was staggered at how bad their bundles were, but now that I've heard the rules it all becomes clear!

[TheOriginalDaveJ]

Good to see you're having a speedy recovery Alan. Keep doing what you're doing 👌

[Mick]

I'm literally doing a bundle now for the SEVENTH preliminary hearing in the employment tribunal, there were some great tips in there Alan, thanks a lot and you definitely look like you're on the mend!

[timjones]

Fred Bloggs has had an amazing life. He's been involved in so many things and to see him still active at his ripe old age is commendable.
Addendum: and his brother Joe

[benhamilton]

Been there and done it - also do not forget the back page identifies bundle.

[normalwisdom]

*Would you agree that you should never ask a question that you don't already know the answer to & the only questions you ask are in your favour?*

[TheVigilant]

Very interesting thank you. Get well soon