Criminal Court Bundle: Complete Preparation Guide for Crown Court and Magistrates' Court (2026)

Last updated: March 2026

Quick Answer

A criminal court bundle is the organised collection of documents used by the defence, prosecution, or court at a criminal hearing. Required formats and contents differ by hearing type. For Crown Court trials, the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 and associated Criminal Practice Directions govern preparation. Defence bundles are not formally required in the same way as civil bundles, but a well-organised set of documents is essential at every stage — from the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing through to sentencing and appeal.

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What Is a Criminal Court Bundle?

In civil and family proceedings, the bundle is a rigidly defined, court-mandated document. Criminal proceedings are different. The Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 and the Criminal Practice Directions impose rules on case management and disclosure — but the format in which parties present their documentary evidence retains an element of flexibility that family lawyers would find unfamiliar.

That said, the purpose of a criminal court bundle is the same as any other: to place all relevant documents before the judge and jury in an organised, navigable form. In Crown Court proceedings, poorly organised documentation slows trials, increases costs, and risks your client's case not being presented with maximum clarity.

Courts are increasingly moving towards electronic bundles. His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has been expanding the use of the Common Platform system for digital case management, and Crown Court hearings regularly involve electronic evidence in addition to paper bundles.

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When Are Court Bundles Required in Criminal Cases?

Understanding which hearing requires what documentation is the starting point for any preparation exercise.

According to Ministry of Justice Criminal Court Statistics (Q3 2025), there were approximately 413,000 Crown Court receipts in the 12 months to September 2025, with an average outstanding caseload of over 67,000 cases — the highest recorded. This backlog makes thorough, efficient bundle preparation more important than ever; a well-prepared bundle reduces the time a judge must spend reconstructing the narrative of a case.

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The Legal Framework: Criminal Procedure Rules 2020

The primary source of procedural law governing criminal proceedings in England and Wales is the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 (SI 2020/759), which consolidate and update the rules that have governed criminal courts since 2005. The Rules are supplemented by the Criminal Practice Directions 2023 (as amended), issued by the Lord Chief Justice.

The Overriding Objective (Rule 1)

The overriding objective of the Criminal Procedure Rules is that criminal cases be dealt with justly. This means:

• Acquitting the innocent and convicting the guilty
• Dealing with the prosecution and defence fairly
• Recognising the rights of defendants, particularly those who are vulnerable
• Respecting the interests of witnesses, victims, and jurors
• Keeping costs proportionate to the gravity of the case
• Dealing with the case efficiently and expeditiously

Every party — and every legal representative — is under an active duty to assist the court in achieving the overriding objective. This duty is not passive. It directly informs how documentation should be prepared and presented.

Part 3: Case Management

Part 3 of the Criminal Procedure Rules imposes robust case management obligations. The court must actively manage each case. Parties must complete PTPH forms and case progression documents accurately and on time. The court may make directions about:

• The form in which evidence is to be presented
• Timetabling for service of witness statements and exhibits
• The use of electronic bundles for complex fraud cases and lengthy trials
• Restrictions on the volume of documentary evidence served

Part 16: Written Witness Statements

Witness statements used in criminal proceedings must comply with Part 16 of the Criminal Procedure Rules and the requirements of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (for statements read rather than given orally). They must:

• Be signed by the witness
• Contain a declaration that the contents are true to the best of the witness's knowledge and belief
• State the maker's name and address
• Be dated

The Disclosure Regime

Prosecution disclosure is governed by the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA 1996). The prosecution must disclose all material that might undermine the prosecution case or assist the defence case. This is an ongoing obligation.

In response, the defence must serve a Defence Case Statement for Crown Court trials, setting out:

• The nature of the defence in general terms
• Any particular defences relied upon
• The points of law to be taken
• Alibi details, where applicable

The Defence Case Statement triggers secondary disclosure — the prosecution must then review all material held and disclose any that is now reasonably capable of assisting the defence case in light of what has been revealed.

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Prosecution Bundles vs Defence Bundles

The Prosecution Bundle

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for preparing and serving the prosecution bundle. The CPS Disclosure Manual and the CPIA 1996 Code of Practice set out the obligations in detail.

A standard prosecution bundle for a Crown Court trial will include:

The prosecution is required to serve its evidence in accordance with directions set at the PTPH or any earlier case management hearing. Delays in service can lead to costs sanctions and, in egregious cases, abuse of process applications.

The Defence Bundle

There is no equivalent procedural obligation on the defence to create a formal "bundle" in the same sense as a civil claimant. However, in practice, defence solicitors and barristers will assemble a working bundle — sometimes called the defence brief — containing:

For the purposes of this guide, the focus is on documents placed before the court — not the working brief retained by the advocate.

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The Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH)

The Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing is the key case management hearing in Crown Court proceedings. It replaced the Plea and Case Management Hearing (PCMH) under the Better Case Management (BCM) initiative, which rolled out nationally from 2016.

Purpose of the PTPH

The PTPH is designed to:

1. Take the defendant's plea
2. Identify the issues for trial if a not guilty plea is entered
3. Give directions for trial preparation
4. Set the trial date

PTPH Form

The PTPH form — currently the PTPH Questionnaire — must be completed jointly by the prosecution and defence before the hearing. It covers:

• The proposed plea
• The time estimate for trial
• The number of witnesses to be called
• Whether there are any legal issues to be determined before trial
• Whether there are any bad character or hearsay applications
• Whether a Goodyear indication is sought
• Any special measures applications for vulnerable witnesses

The defence advocate must be properly instructed before the PTPH. A defendant who appears unrepresented or whose advocate lacks sufficient instructions frequently causes the hearing to be ineffective — contributing to the Crown Court backlog.

Documents to Prepare for the PTPH

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Sentencing Bundles

Where a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted, a sentencing hearing will follow. In straightforward cases, this may take place immediately after verdict. In complex cases — particularly where a pre-sentence report (PSR) is required — it is adjourned.

Contents of a Sentencing Bundle

The Sentencing Council for England and Wales publishes definitive guidelines for virtually every offence type. These are not optional. Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, courts must follow the applicable guideline unless it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. Any sentencing bundle should include the relevant guideline and mark where on the culpability and harm scale the offending falls.

According to Crown Prosecution Service data, the CPS completed 623,000 prosecutions in 2024-25, resulting in a conviction rate of approximately 87%. Sentencing hearings represent a significant proportion of all Crown Court activity, and a well-prepared sentencing bundle can make a material difference to the outcome.

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Appeal Bundles

Appeals to the Crown Court from Magistrates' Court

Appeals against conviction or sentence from the Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court are governed by Part 34 of the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020. The appeal is heard as a re-hearing.

Documents required include:

• Notice of appeal (served within 21 days of sentence)
• Copy of the Magistrates' Court decision
• Any relevant documentary evidence from the original hearing
• Witness statements for any fresh evidence to be called

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Appeals from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) are governed by Part 36 of the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 and the Criminal Practice Directions 2023, Part V.

The appeal bundle for the Court of Appeal must contain:

The Court of Appeal Registry is fastidious about compliance with formalities. Incomplete or poorly organised bundles are frequently returned with requisitions, delaying the appeal process.

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Electronic Bundles in Criminal Cases

HMCTS has been rolling out electronic case management through the Common Platform system. Complex Crown Court cases — particularly serious fraud, cybercrime, and terrorism cases — increasingly use electronic bundles managed through the Opus 2 or Caselines platforms.

Requirements for Electronic Bundles

Where electronic bundles are used, the expectations broadly mirror those in civil proceedings:

The judge will specify whether an electronic bundle is required. Compliance is not optional once directions are given.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Practical Checklist: Crown Court Trial Bundle

Use this checklist to verify your bundle is complete before the trial date.

Prosecution Bundle Checklist

• Indictment (signed and dated)
• Opening note or case summary
• All witness statements (signed and dated)
• Expert reports
• ROTI / interview record
• All documentary exhibits
• CCTV and digital evidence schedules
• Antecedents record (agreed)
• Unused material schedules (MG6C and MG6D)
• Bad character notices (if applicable)
• Hearsay notices (if applicable)

Defence Bundle Checklist

• Defence Case Statement
• All defence witness statements
• Expert reports (if any)
• Character references
• Medical reports (if relevant)
• Legal authorities relied upon
• Sentencing materials (if guilty plea)
• Copy of prosecution bundle (tabbed and paginated)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a page limit for criminal court bundles?

Unlike family court bundles, which are subject to the 350-page limit under Practice Direction 27A, criminal proceedings do not have a universal statutory page limit. However, judges actively manage case volume. In complex fraud cases, courts may issue specific directions about the volume of documentation that can be relied upon. The overriding objective requires proportionality at all times.

Who prepares the bundle in criminal cases?

The prosecution is responsible for serving its evidence. The defence is responsible for assembling its own documentation and serving the Defence Case Statement. Neither party is under an obligation to compile the other side's documents into a joint bundle — unlike in civil proceedings, where an agreed bundle is standard.

What is a Defence Case Statement and when must it be served?

A Defence Case Statement must be served by the defendant in Crown Court cases within 28 days of the prosecution complying with its primary disclosure obligations (or 14 days if a shorter period is ordered by the court). It must set out the general nature of the defence, any specific defences, and alibi details. Failure to serve — or serving a statement that is incomplete or inconsistent with the defence run at trial — can lead to adverse comment and judicial direction to the jury.

Can I use BundleCreator for a criminal bundle?

BundleCreator is designed primarily for civil, family, and tribunal proceedings. Its core features — PDF compilation, pagination, indexing, and OCR — are technically applicable to criminal documentation. However, criminal practitioners should note that the platform is optimised for the practice directions of civil and family courts, not the specific case management forms used in criminal proceedings. It may be used effectively for organising supporting documentation such as character references, medical reports, and exhibit schedules.

What happens if the defence advocate is not properly instructed at the PTPH?

If the advocate cannot properly deal with the PTPH because they lack instructions — for example, the defendant has not provided instructions on plea — the court may adjourn the hearing, make a wasted costs order against the solicitor, or both. The PTPH is intended to be effective. Courts are increasingly reluctant to adjourn without costs consequences.

Are sentencing guidelines binding on judges?

Yes, in substance. Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, s.125, a court must follow the applicable Sentencing Council guideline unless it is contrary to the interests of justice to do so. Where the court departs from the guideline, it must give its reasons. This makes identifying and presenting the correct guideline — with submissions on the appropriate category — an essential part of sentencing advocacy.

How long do Crown Court cases take?

Ministry of Justice data for 2024-25 shows the average time from first listing to completion for Crown Court cases is approximately 19 months. Complex cases — serious fraud, murder, organised crime — can take considerably longer. This underlines the importance of thorough preparation at every stage, as a poorly prepared bundle at the PTPH can cause effective hearing dates to be vacated, adding months to the timeline.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Criminal law and procedure in England and Wales are subject to frequent amendment. Always refer to the current version of the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020, the Criminal Practice Directions 2023, and any specific directions given by the court in your case. If you are facing criminal proceedings, you should seek advice from a qualified criminal law solicitor or barrister as soon as possible. Legal aid may be available: contact the Criminal Defence Service through the Legal Aid Agency or seek duty solicitor assistance at court.

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Further Reading

• Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 (SI 2020/759) — The governing procedural rules for all criminal courts in England and Wales
• Criminal Practice Directions 2023 — Supplementary directions issued by the Lord Chief Justice
• Sentencing Council Guidelines — Definitive guidelines for every offence category
• CPS Disclosure Manual — Prosecution disclosure obligations under CPIA 1996
• UK Court Bundle Compliance Guide (2026) — Cross-jurisdictional reference for all bundle types
• How Practice Directions Differ Across UK Legal Arenas — Overview of differences between civil, family, criminal, and tribunal proceedings

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This article provides general information about criminal court procedures in England and Wales. It is not legal advice. BundleCreator.co is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. If you are charged with a criminal offence or are involved in criminal proceedings, always seek advice from a qualified criminal law solicitor or barrister immediately. Public funding (legal aid) may be available. For out-of-hours emergency assistance, contact the duty solicitor scheme.