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Bates numbers (bates stamps, bates labels) are numbers used to uniquely identify pages within a set of documents. Bates numbers are used in almost all law firms as an agreed-upon method between parties to ensure a common naming convention when referring to given pages.

You might be aware that the custom is to Bates stamp discovery documents using six digits including leading zeros. However, that might not meet the needs of everyone. Some folks like to use four digits and others, like my most recent emailer above, wanted to use just one.

Consistently adding Bates numbering, usually to the header or footer of each page, as you enter documents into your firm's system is an excellent way to: Organize documents. Make pages and documents easier to find.

For example, if XYZ company produces 25,000 pages to an opponent, it may Bates number the production "XYZ_000001 - XYZ_025000." Some lawyers refer to Bates numbers as Bates stamps because at one time the numbers were physically stamped on each page.

But, consistent with The Bluebook, the first citation should make it very clear what is being referenced, such as (Bates Jones000001) or (Bates d123-002), and subsequent consecutive cites should follow the usual practice of Id. followed by the page number, such as (Id. 000017) or (Id. -017).

Bates numbering (also known as Bates stamping, Bates branding, Bates coding or Bates labeling) is a method of sequentially numbering pages with a reference number. A hand-operated Bates numbering device is used to "stamp" a number on a page, and the numbers will automatically advance after each stamping.

The Bates prefix is specified with at least one letter and up to six letters and sequential numbering with seven digits, starting 0000001, unless otherwise instructed at or prior to time of job commencement. The Lexbe eDiscovery Platform (LEP) does not allow Bates Stamping without a prefix.