Report comment

Six volumes and 2000 pages is by no means excessive in a High Court case, but there is no doubting that it is frequently the case the Trial Bundles are by no means succinct or relevant.

I put it down to the fact that the preparation of Trial Bundles is often delegated in larger firms, and the result demonstrates a manifest failure of supervision by the case handler or partner in question in such firms. Bundle preparation is deemed a chore to be avoided if possible. The Index might be reviewed briefly, but that is often as far as it goes.

The net result is often a Bundle comprising documentation, the vast majority of which is wholly unnecessary. The Judge's view in this case was entirely correct.

As to the comments regarding the Skeleton, preparation of an effective Skeleton Argument is not difficult, and is well within the capability of any Counsel well-versed in civil trial work . It needs to be structured and properly referenced, and accompanied by a list of relevant authorities intended to be relied upon. Admittedly without having read the Judgement, my first thought was that this too might be delegated within the firm, instead of sensibly and appropriately being left to Counsel.