Create professional bundles for Magistrates' Court, Crown Court trials, sentencing, and appeals. From PTPH to Court of Appeal, our templates help you work within the rules.
Every stop on the journey explains the step, with a template, official form or hearing bundle wherever one is needed
How do I prepare a Crown Court trial bundle?
A Crown Court trial bundle should contain the indictment, evidence, statements, exhibits, and any defence materials. Organise it logically, paginate it and create a clear index. BundleCreator automates this formatting.
Each stop is a step in the journey. Large rings are hearings where you build a court bundle; small grey dots are steps you file or take, hollow dots are deadlines or events, and diamonds are forms. The key below the map explains every symbol. Click any stop to see what it involves.
Stops:Bundle hearing — a court bundle is built hereDecision hearing — the court or tribunal decides the case here; bundle requiredOptional hearing — dashed ring: only held in some casesProcess step — something you file or do, no bundleMilestone — a deadline or event; nothing to prepareOptional step — dashed: not always applicable (e.g. only if needed or agreed)
Reading:Blog Insight — purple book icons link to a related article (opens in a new tab)
Timing:⚠ 14 daysstatutory — miss this and lose4 weeksrequired noticetyp. 8motypical wait
Laws:This journey summarises the procedure under Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Criminal Justice Act 2003, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA — disclosure), Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), Sentencing Act 2020 (esp. ss.133, 330, 343, 360), Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (esp. s.18 — CACD appeals), Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (esp. s.9 — CCRC references), Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (esp. ss.15A–15C, 16, 17, 35, 50), Protection from Harassment Act 1997 s.5A (restraining order on acquittal), Bail Act 1976, Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (special measures; ss.34–38), Sentencing Act 2026, Crime and Policing Act 2026 (POCA reforms), Victims and Courts Act 2026 (s.13) and Criminal Practice Directions 2023. General information only — not legal advice.
Criminal cases follow one of three tracks depending on the type of offence. Before any hearing, the case is initiated by a police charge at custody or a postal requisition from the CPS — this is an administrative step and does not require a bundle. Free advice is available at the police station. At court, a duty solicitor can check whether you qualify for criminal legal aid.
Summary-only offences (common assault, minor criminal damage, most motoring offences) stay in the Magistrates' Court throughout. Either-way offences (theft, ABH, criminal damage over £5,000) start in the Magistrates' Court, where an allocation decision determines whether the case stays there or is sent to the Crown Court — the defendant currently has the right to elect jury trial (MCA 1980 s.20; CrimPR 2025 rr.9.8–9.11). The Courts and Tribunals Bill, still before Parliament, would remove this right: proposed legislation, not yet law. If the case stays in the Magistrates' Court, it follows the Summary track. If sent to the Crown Court, it follows the Crown Court track from PTPH onwards. Indictable-only offences (murder, rape, robbery, GBH with intent) appear briefly in the Magistrates' Court and are immediately sent to the Crown Court under Section 51 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 — no plea is taken at this brief administrative hearing.
Appeals from the Magistrates' Court go to the Crown Court (reheard in full, no permission required) or to the High Court by way of case stated (on a point of law). Appeals from the Crown Court go to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and require permission.
FOUR POST-CONVICTION LANES SHOWN ON THE MAP (often missed by self-representing defendants):
1. POCA Confiscation — Where the conviction triggers Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 proceedings, a separate confiscation hearing follows sentencing with its own bundle. The court sets a confiscation timetable before the end of the sentencing hearing (POCA s.15A, in force 29 June 2026). The prosecutor's s.16 statement, any s.18 information order and your s.17 response follow that timetable. The court may direct an Early Resolution of Confiscation meeting and hearing (ss.15B–15C). Then the confiscation hearing, then enforcement. Default sentence applies if unpaid (up to 14 years for orders over £1 million (s.35(2A); orders over £10 million additionally lose automatic halfway release), s.35 POCA 2002).
2. Ancillary orders — Compensation order (Sentencing Act 2020 s.133, enforced by the magistrates' court as a sum ordered on conviction (CrimPR 2025 Part 30)), Criminal Behaviour Order — CBO (Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, consolidated in SA 2020 s.330), SHPO (s.343 SA 2020 — replaces SOPO), Restraining Order on conviction (SA 2020 s.360) or on acquittal (Protection from Harassment Act 1997 s.5A — NOT consolidated into SA 2020), driving / director / FBO disqualifications.
3. CCRC Referral — Where the normal appeal routes are exhausted but a real possibility of wrongful conviction remains, application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The CCRC may refer the case to the CACD under s.9 Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (treated as if leave to appeal granted).
4. Court of Appeal — Already on the map. Outcomes: conviction quashed (with/without retrial), upheld, sentence varied. The Court of Appeal cannot make your sentence more severe on your own appeal (CAA 1968 s.11(3)), but it can order that time in custody pending appeal does not count (loss of time, s.29). A separate risk is an Attorney General's reference of an unduly lenient sentence (CJA 1988 s.36).
Important: This journey map shows the typical stages of the relevant court or tribunal proceedings. It is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, consult a solicitor or instruct a barrister directly.
The law, court fees and time limits can change. We work hard to keep this map accurate, but it may contain errors or become out of date, so please check anything important against the official source — for example legislation.gov.uk or GOV.UK. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Steleo Publishing Limited does not accept liability for any loss arising from reliance on this map. Each stop represents a stage where a separate bundle may be required; BundleCreator handles the formatting — it does not replace professional legal advice.
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A criminal trial bundle typically includes the indictment, witness statements, exhibits, interview transcripts, and any expert reports. For the defence, include the defence statement, character references, and defence expert evidence. BundleCreator is online court bundle software that organises these into sections designed to follow the CrimPR and the Lord Chief Justice's Criminal Practice Directions.
Last reviewed: 27 September 2026 by Stevie Hayes
Criminal Trial Bundle UK: In Brief
A criminal trial bundle is the prosecution and defence evidence bundle prepared for a Crown Court trial or, in some cases, a contested Magistrates' Court trial. Proceedings run under the Criminal Procedure Rules 2025 (SI 2025/909, in force 6 October 2025) and the Criminal Practice Directions 2023 (as amended). The defence bundle is built around the defence statement, witness statements, exhibits, and authorities; the prosecution discloses under the CPIA 1996.
Key rules
Criminal Procedure Rules 2025 (Part 3 case management, Part 8 Initial Details of the Prosecution Case, Part 25 Crown Court trial), Criminal Practice Directions 2023 (as amended)
Key forms
Defence statement (official form; CPIA 1996 s.5 Crown Court, s.6 magistrates' voluntary), defence witness notice (official form), PTPH / Better Case Management form (completed by the parties), Form NG for appeals to the Court of Appeal. MG-series schedules are prosecution documents.
Time limits
PTPH typically within 28 days of sending (Better Case Management); defence statement 28 days after the prosecution's initial disclosure under CPIA s.3 in the Crown Court, 14 days in the magistrates' court (SI 2011/209 reg 2); any extension must be applied for before the period ends (reg 3); appeal to the Court of Appeal within 28 days (CAA 1968 s.18)
Crown Court case papers are held on the HMCTS Digital Case System (DCS). Court of Appeal bundles should be OCR'd PDFs, bookmarked, with a hyperlinked index where practicable (CrimPD 2023 para 10.7.4); up to 1,000 pages supported
The Criminal Procedure Rules provide the overriding objective that criminal cases be dealt with justly, including acquitting the innocent and convicting the guilty.
Source: Criminal Procedure Rules, Part 1
12 months
Magistrates' sentencing powers
Magistrates' courts can impose up to 6 months' imprisonment for a summary offence and 12 months for an either-way offence.
Bundles designed around the Criminal Procedure Rules. Organised for judge and jury use.
Stage-Specific Templates
Templates for PTPH, summary trial, Crown Court trial, sentencing, and appeals.
Exhibit Management
Organise exhibits with proper labelling. Link to statements that reference them.
Multi-Defendant Cases
Handle complex multi-defendant cases. Keep each defendant's materials organised.
Sensitive Material
Mark and handle PII material appropriately. Redaction tools for sensitive information.
PTPH Preparation
Prepare PTPH forms and bundles. Track Better Case Management deadlines.
Understanding Criminal Court Bundles
Everything you need to know about criminal case bundles
Criminal Court Proceedings in England and Wales
Criminal cases in England and Wales proceed through either the Magistrates' Court (for summary offences and either-way offences tried summarily) or the Crown Court (for indictable-only offences, and either-way offences sent for trial after allocation).
The process typically involves a first appearance, Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) in the Crown Court, and if the defendant pleads not guilty, a full trial before a jury.
The Criminal Procedure Rules
The Criminal Procedure Rules (CrimPR) govern how criminal cases are managed. They emphasise the overriding objective of dealing with cases justly, which includes ensuring efficient use of court time.
Documents you intend to rely on should be clearly organised, paginated and indexed. In the Crown Court any jury bundle is prepared by the prosecution (see, for example, CrimPD 2023 para 6.3.21(m)); raise any defence material for the jury with the prosecution or the judge.
What Goes in a Criminal Defence Bundle?
A criminal defence bundle typically contains materials the defence wishes to put before the court. The prosecution serves its evidence separately in accordance with disclosure obligations.
Defence statement and skeleton argument
Defence witness statements
Character references (for sentencing)
Expert reports commissioned by the defence
Exhibits and documentary evidence
Legal authorities for submissions
Stage-Specific Templates
Choose the template for your hearing stage
Magistrates' Court (First Appearance)
Initial appearance, plea, bail/remand decision
Crown Court (PTPH)
Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing - arraignment, directions
Crown Court (Trial)
Full trial on indictment with jury
Crown Court (Sentencing)
Sentencing hearing following conviction or guilty plea
BundleCreator's Criminal Law template handles Crown Court and Magistrates' Court defence preparation: the prosecution case (Initial Details of the Prosecution Case under CrimPR Part 8), defence statement, served evidence and unused material, witness statements, exhibits, and authorities. The output is paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index, and bookmarked — designed to fit inside legal aid fixed-fee envelopes. From £24.99 a month, within your plan's bundle allowance.
Crown Court trial bundles need: the indictment, the prosecution case papers (witness statements, exhibits, schedules), the defence statement (section 5 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, served under CrimPR Part 15), the served defence evidence, the unused material schedule (MG6C), defence requests for further disclosure, the PTPH form, and authorities. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template orders these for the Crown Court with paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index output — designed around the relevant CrimPR provisions.
Defence practitioners download prosecution case papers from the Crown Court Digital Case System, operated by HMCTS. Upload those PDFs to BundleCreator's Criminal Law template and arrange them for defence preparation: indictment first, prosecution evidence by witness and exhibit, the MG6C unused material schedule, the defence statement and served defence evidence, and authorities. The output is paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index, and ready for defence preparation or trial counsel review.
MG6C is the schedule of relevant non-sensitive unused material served on the defence. The sensitive schedule (MG6D) is not disclosed to the defence; any PII question is for the prosecution and the court. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template places the MG6C and any disclosed items in the disclosure section, paginated and bookmarked, so defence counsel can review the unused material efficiently.
Once you have served a defence statement and the prosecutor has responded (or failed to respond) under s.7A(5), section 8 CPIA 1996 lets you apply for disclosure of prosecution material you have reasonable cause to believe should have been disclosed. The application is made on the official 'Defendant's application for prosecution disclosure' form (CrimPR 2025 r.15.5). The supporting bundle can include the MG6C schedule, disclosure correspondence, a skeleton argument and authorities. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template orders these for the Crown Court hearing.
Magistrates' Court trial bundles for unrepresented defendants need: the charge sheet or summons, the prosecution's initial details and evidence, any defence statement (voluntary in the magistrates' court) and defence witness notice on the official forms, your supporting evidence and any expert reports. If you are unrepresented, you cannot cross-examine certain witnesses yourself (for example the complainant in a sexual offence case, or a protected child witness). The court will ask you to appoint a solicitor or barrister for that purpose and, if you do not, may appoint an advocate (YJCEA 1999 ss.34–38; CrimPR 2025 Part 23). Criminal legal aid may be available: ask the duty solicitor at court. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template handles the Magistrates' Court process with paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index output — designed to be navigable without legal training.
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) confiscation proceedings bundles need: the confiscation timetable (POCA s.15A, set before the end of the sentencing hearing since 29 June 2026); the prosecutor's s.16 statement and your s.17 response; evidence on the lifestyle question and the s.10 assumptions; evidence of the available amount (including any hidden-property findings under s.9A); forensic accounting reports and authorities. The court may also direct an Early Resolution of Confiscation meeting and hearing (ss.15B–15C). BundleCreator's Criminal Law template orders these for the Crown Court confiscation hearing with paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index output.
BundleCreator's Criminal Law template handles same-day Crown Court trial preparation: upload the indictment, prosecution case papers, defence statement, served defence evidence, unused material schedules, exhibits, and authorities. The tool produces a paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index bundle in 30-60 minutes — ready for defence counsel review or upload to the Digital Case System for the trial.
BundleCreator helps you prepare and organise documents for court and tribunal hearings. We are not a law firm and we do not give legal advice. Wherever you can, please get advice from a qualified legal adviser before your hearing. Read more
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best court bundle tool for legal aid criminal defence?
BundleCreator's Criminal Law template handles Crown Court and Magistrates' Court defence preparation: the prosecution case (Initial Details of the Prosecution Case under CrimPR Part 8), defence statement, served evidence and unused material, witness statements, exhibits, and authorities. The output is paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index, and bookmarked — designed to fit inside legal aid fixed-fee envelopes. From £24.99 a month, within your plan's bundle allowance.
How do I prepare a Crown Court trial bundle with defence statement and unused material?
Crown Court trial bundles need: the indictment, the prosecution case papers (witness statements, exhibits, schedules), the defence statement (section 5 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, served under CrimPR Part 15), the served defence evidence, the unused material schedule (MG6C), defence requests for further disclosure, the PTPH form, and authorities. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template orders these for the Crown Court with paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index output — designed around the relevant CrimPR provisions.
How do I restructure papers downloaded from the Digital Case System (DCS) for defence use?
Defence practitioners download prosecution case papers from the Crown Court Digital Case System, operated by HMCTS. Upload those PDFs to BundleCreator's Criminal Law template and arrange them for defence preparation: indictment first, prosecution evidence by witness and exhibit, the MG6C unused material schedule, the defence statement and served defence evidence, and authorities. The output is paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index, and ready for defence preparation or trial counsel review.
How do I bundle the MG6C unused material schedule for disclosure review?
MG6C is the schedule of relevant non-sensitive unused material served on the defence. The sensitive schedule (MG6D) is not disclosed to the defence; any PII question is for the prosecution and the court. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template places the MG6C and any disclosed items in the disclosure section, paginated and bookmarked, so defence counsel can review the unused material efficiently.
How do I prepare a section 8 disclosure application bundle?
Once you have served a defence statement and the prosecutor has responded (or failed to respond) under s.7A(5), section 8 CPIA 1996 lets you apply for disclosure of prosecution material you have reasonable cause to believe should have been disclosed. The application is made on the official 'Defendant's application for prosecution disclosure' form (CrimPR 2025 r.15.5). The supporting bundle can include the MG6C schedule, disclosure correspondence, a skeleton argument and authorities. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template orders these for the Crown Court hearing.
How do I prepare a Magistrates' Court trial bundle as a litigant in person?
Magistrates' Court trial bundles for unrepresented defendants need: the charge sheet or summons, the prosecution's initial details and evidence, any defence statement (voluntary in the magistrates' court) and defence witness notice on the official forms, your supporting evidence and any expert reports. If you are unrepresented, you cannot cross-examine certain witnesses yourself (for example the complainant in a sexual offence case, or a protected child witness). The court will ask you to appoint a solicitor or barrister for that purpose and, if you do not, may appoint an advocate (YJCEA 1999 ss.34–38; CrimPR 2025 Part 23). Criminal legal aid may be available: ask the duty solicitor at court. BundleCreator's Criminal Law template handles the Magistrates' Court process with paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index output — designed to be navigable without legal training.
How do I prepare a POCA confiscation proceedings bundle?
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) confiscation proceedings bundles need: the confiscation timetable (POCA s.15A, set before the end of the sentencing hearing since 29 June 2026); the prosecutor's s.16 statement and your s.17 response; evidence on the lifestyle question and the s.10 assumptions; evidence of the available amount (including any hidden-property findings under s.9A); forensic accounting reports and authorities. The court may also direct an Early Resolution of Confiscation meeting and hearing (ss.15B–15C). BundleCreator's Criminal Law template orders these for the Crown Court confiscation hearing with paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index output.
How do I prepare a Crown Court trial bundle on a deadline tomorrow?
BundleCreator's Criminal Law template handles same-day Crown Court trial preparation: upload the indictment, prosecution case papers, defence statement, served defence evidence, unused material schedules, exhibits, and authorities. The tool produces a paginated, OCR'd, hyperlinked-index bundle in 30-60 minutes — ready for defence counsel review or upload to the Digital Case System for the trial.
