Nearly Legal recently posted about the joys of preparing trial bundles, a joy that I have also been experiencing this week. In my case the bundle is required for a one-hour Financial Dispute Resolution appointment. I don't recall ever having to prepare a bundle for an FDR before, but it seems that courts are making directions for bundles to be prepared more and more frequently. As anyone who has done it will know, preparing a bundle involves a lot of time for the fee earner and support staff and an enormous amount of photocopying, hence substantial expense for the client. Is it really necessary for bundles to be prepared so often? After all, most of the bundle comprises the court pleadings, which are in everyone's possession anyway.I note that the new Practice Direction on court bundles in family proceedings will not apply to County Court cases listed for one hour or less. Hopefully, District Judges will follow this, and only order bundles for longer hearings.
Good heavens, a bundle for a one hour hearing? That does seem somewhat surplus to requirements. I was swearing loudly over a bundle for a three day trial, but if every hour long hearing needed a full bundle, I would have a tan from the photocopier and no productive time at all.
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