Where a statement in a bundle refers to a document with an exhibit mark or other distinctive reference it should be hyperlinked but hyperlinks do not help hardcopy users. Hardcopy users can identify the page number of documents which are referred to in statements by exhibit mark or disclosure number by looking up the mark/number in the Index but ideally an easier and quicker method of finding the page number of documents referred to should also be provided to assist users of the hardcopy - adding the target page numbers to statement margins opposite each distinctive reference. There are two ways of doing this:-
Ideally there would be software which would do this automatically but there isn't (at least not that I know of - if you know of any software which can do this please let me know). So you have to do this manually. Because it takes time to do it is particularly important to wait until you are sure that bundle page numbers are fixed and will not change before doing this. The following instructions explain how to do this using the Bundledocs system as an example:
Tap the Preview button for the first statement in Bundledocs.
In the Preview panel, tap the Settings symbol at the bottom left and select a reference border colour of red and a background colour of white. Also select Make Annotations Sticky - this will save you having to select the Annotations tool every time.
If the existing bundle PDF has hyperlinked exhibit marks or other references you can go to each hyperlink in turn, note the page number which the hyperlink points to (if you are using PDF X-Change Editor the page number will appear as you hovver over each link) and, back in Bundledocs, use Annotate to add the page number in the right hand margin opposite the hyperlinked word in every statement. To do this tap the Annotate symbol then tap the label symbol and stamp the label in the right hand margin, then click the Settings symbol in the label and type the page number in the Label content field and tap OK.
If the bundle does not have hyperlinked references it should still be easy to identify the document referred to, so that you can add its page number in the margin.
You might find that some of the other side's statements just describe a document (e.g. " I wrote a letter to Peter Jones the same day...") without giving any distinctive reference at all. This is not good practice but, particularly if the statement gives, directly or indirect, a document date, you may still be able to work out from its description, which document is intended so that you can add its page number in the margin. If it is actually unclear which of two documents a witness was intending to refer to in their statement then don't guess but simply pass over that reference without adding a marginal page number.
Tap Save changes.
Many people find it easier and quicker to add target page numbers by hand using the following procedure.
Download the first statement from your bundle production system and print it.
If the existing bundle PDF has hyperliked exhibit mark references you can go to each hyperlink in turn, note the page number which the hyperlink points to (if you are using PDF X-Change Editor the page number will appear as you hovver over each link) and write in black ink in the right hand margin of the printed paper statement, opposite the exhibit mark or other word which is hyperlinked, the number of the page where the document referred to is to be found.
If the bundle currently does not have hyperlinked references it should still be easy to identify the document referred to, so that you can add its page number in the margin.
You might find that some of the other side's statements just describe a document (e.g. " I wrote a letter to Peter Jones the same day...") without any distinctive reference at all. This is not good practice but, particularly if the statement gives, directly or indirect, a document date, you may still be able to work out from its description, which document is intended so that you can add its page number in the margin. If it is actually unclear which of two documents a witness was intending to refer to in their statement then don't guess but simply pass over that reference without adding a marginal page number.
Scan in the marked up paper statement as a PDF and load as a replacement.
Repeat the above process for every other statement.
Note: An second-best alternative to the above two methods is to use PDF software to add a page after each statement listing each link with its target page number.
Disclaimer
This information page is designed to be used only by clients of John Antell who have entered into an agreement for the provision of legal services. The information in it is necessarily of a general nature and will not be applicable to every case: it is intended to be used only in conjunction with more specific advice to the individual client about the individual case. This information page should not be used by, or relied on, by anyone else.
The information on this page about specific computer techniques is provided for information purposes only. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date at the time it was written but no responsibility for its accuracy, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by me. You should satisfy yourself, before using any of the techniques, software or services described, that the techniques are appropriate for your purposes and that the software or service is reliable.
This page was lasted updated in April 2025. Disclaimer