Get Trial Notebook Template

The Trial Notebook is either a hard copy or electronic notebook intentionally organized to help you organize, prepare and strategize each phase of trial.

This is a three-ring binder (or multiple binders) that contains the information you will need during the trial. At a minimum, the notebook should include witness outlines (or scripts), exhibit lists and key exhibits. In a complex case, you also may want a chronology, summary charts and a cast of characters.

This notebook focuses on the trial-specific nature of your case and helps you organize its presentation and all your other court-related material such as legal research, discovery materials, jury selection notes, court journals, opening and closing statements, and more.

Here are some steps you can follow when writing a case brief: Choose the right case brief format. ... Start with the title, citation and author. ... State the facts of the case. ... Declare the legal issue. ... Outline the rule of law. ... Explain the holding and reasoning. ... Concurrences and dissents.

Trial Notebook Preparation A paralegal may collect and organize all the pleadings, discovery requests, discovery responses, exhibits, witness lists, witness questions and other material that an attorney may need to access at trial.

Top 11 Things for a Trial Binder Assemble evidence and create a list to keep track of exhibits. ... Complete your trial outline. ... Make a list of witnesses in order of anticipated appearance. ... Prepare a trial brief (if the judge accepts trial briefs) showing your summary of the law and the facts of the case.

The Trial Notebook The Binder. Take your favorite three-ring binder and make all of the tabs for the sections listed here. ... Organization. From this point on, you can organize the sections as you see fit. ... Timeline. ... Statement of the Case. ... Admission of Facts and Genuineness of Documents. ... Other Essential Documents.

Effective Information includes a concise statement of who the witness is, their relationship to the parties, other witnesses and facts of the case. The Witness and Key Player Information also contains the attorneys impressions about the witness including how the witness may be perceived by a jury.