Court Bundle Pagination in 2026
Pagination looks like admin, but a badly numbered bundle costs hearing time and tests a judge’s patience. This year has brought real changes.
A new baseline for family work
The Family Court’s new Practice Direction 27A took effect on 2 March 2026, bringing some of the biggest changes to bundle rules in years. Electronic bundles are now the default, not an alternative to paper. A clarifying amendment on 24 March left the pagination rules unchanged. The changes to court bundles are nearly here: What does it mean for Family Law cases? – Mackrell LLP +2
Court Bundle Pagination Numbering rules that matter
In financial remedy cases, the e-bundle’s page numbers must now match the PDF page numbers, so every page, including section pages, has to be numbered. Other family proceedings work differently. The index sits at the front and is not paginated, and the contents are numbered using the Bates system. This has a practical benefit: new documents can be added to the end of a section for later hearings without disturbing the original references. PD 27A Redux: March 2026 Family Court Bundle Changes Primer +2
Technical standards
Commentators say compliant e-bundles should be searchable PDFs with proper pagination, bookmarking and a clear, clickable index, and that judges are expected to reject poorly prepared ones.
The takeaway
Treat pagination as a compliance step, not a finishing touch. Confirm which practice direction governs your case and decide your numbering scheme before you start collating. Check the PDF numbering against the index before filing. Software saves time, but you remain responsible for the bundle.
For further information on how we can help you save costs and maximise your income on each clinical negligence case call Professional Paginating Services on 01495 370288 or email us If you would like more information regarding these credit terms please contact us on 01495 370288 or by email
