How to Use eLitigant to Prepare Court Documents in 2026: A Complete Guide

You have a case to run. Maybe you are bringing a claim, maybe you are defending one. Either way, you are doing it yourself — and the court expects the same standard of documentation whether you have a legal team behind you or not.

This guide explains exactly how to use eLitigant and Chris — your legal assistant — to produce court-ready documents from the very first letter before action through to a polished skeleton argument for your hearing. We will cover the tools you need, the workflow that works, and how to format everything to the standard the court expects.

What You Will Need

Before you begin, set yourself up properly. You do not need expensive software or specialist equipment. Here is what we recommend:

• A computer — We recommend a Mac (Apple) for reliability and ease of use, but any modern laptop or desktop will do. A tablet can work in a pinch, but you will be doing serious document work, and a proper keyboard and screen make a real difference.
• Google Gmail — A free Gmail account gives you access to the full Google ecosystem. Court communications, file sharing, and organisation all flow through email. If you do not already have one, set one up before you start.
• Google Drive and Google Docs — This is where your documents will live. Google Docs is free, accessible from anywhere, and handles the formatting you need for court documents. It also means your work is backed up automatically — no risk of losing everything if your computer fails.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader — The free version is sufficient. You will need it for reading court forms, opening PDF bundles, and potentially adding digital signatures or page numbers to your final documents.
• A printer (optional but useful) — Some courts still accept or prefer paper bundles. If you have access to a printer, it helps. But it is not essential — most courts now accept electronic filing, and the Online Civil Money Claims service is entirely digital.

That is it. No subscriptions to legal databases. No expensive word processing software. Gmail, Google Docs, Acrobat Reader, and eLitigant.

Step 1: Start Your Conversation with Chris

Head to Ask Chris on our website. Chris is your legal assistant — think of it as having a knowledgeable colleague at the next desk who has read the Civil Procedure Rules cover to cover and knows exactly how court documents should be structured.

When you first open a conversation, tell Chris what you are dealing with. Be specific:

• “I need to draft a letter before action for a breach of contract claim against my former landlord for £4,200 in unreturned deposit and repair costs.”
• “I have received a defence to my money claim and I need to prepare my reply and directions questionnaire.”
• “I have a hearing listed in three weeks for an interim application and I need a skeleton argument.”

The more detail you give at the start, the better Chris can help. Include dates, amounts, the names of the parties, and what stage your case has reached. Do not worry about legal terminology — explain it in plain language and Chris will handle the rest.

Step 2: Build Your Document with Chris

Chris will draft the text for your document. This might be a letter before action, particulars of claim, a witness statement, an application notice, or any other court document you need.

Here is the important part: Chris creates the text. You shape the final document.

The workflow is simple:

1. Chris drafts the content — Working from the facts you provide, Chris will produce properly structured legal text with the correct headings, numbered paragraphs, statements of truth, and legal references.
2. You copy the text into a Google Doc — Select all the text Chris produces, copy it, and paste it into a new Google Doc. This is now your working document.
3. Format it properly — Apply the correct formatting for court documents (we cover this below). This is where your document goes from a draft to something that looks like it came from a professional practice.
4. Review and refine with your own knowledge — Read through carefully. You know your case better than anyone. Add nuance, correct any factual details, and consider points that only you would know — the tone of a conversation, the context behind a particular email, the reason a deadline was missed.
5. Take it back to Chris for refinement — Copy your revised text back into the conversation and tell Chris what you have changed and why. Chris will review your amendments, tighten the language, check the legal structure, and suggest any improvements.

This back-and-forth is where the real quality emerges. It is not about getting a perfect document in one pass. It is an iterative process — draft, refine, improve — exactly as a solicitor and barrister would work together in practice.

Step 3: Completing Court Forms with Chris

Not every document you need is one you draft from scratch. Many court processes require you to complete a specific HMCTS form — an N244 application notice, an N245 payment variation, an N1 claim form, or a directions questionnaire. These forms have fixed fields, tick boxes, and limited space. Getting them right matters.

Here is the workflow:

1. Download the form from HMCTS — Go to the GOV.UK court forms page and download the PDF version of the form you need. Save it to your Google Drive.
2. Open the PDF and copy all the text — Open the form in Adobe Acrobat Reader or your browser’s PDF viewer. Select all the text (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A) and copy it.
3. Paste it to Chris — Paste the full form text into your conversation with Chris. Tell Chris which form it is and what your case is about. Chris will then walk you through each field, explaining precisely what to enter — the correct wording, the right legal references, and the proper format for dates, amounts, and case numbers.
4. Review the guidance carefully — Before you fill anything in, read through Chris’s suggestions. This is where your own knowledge of the case matters. If there is a nuance Chris has missed — a detail about timing, a particular phrase the other side used, a mistake in an earlier filing you want to correct — mention it. Ask Chris to adjust the guidance accordingly.
5. Fill in the form manually — With Chris’s field-by-field guidance beside you, complete the PDF form. Take your time. Check every entry against what Chris has recommended, but apply your own judgment where the facts require it.
6. Save, sign, and file — Save the completed form. If a signature is required, you can sign digitally using Adobe Acrobat Reader or print, sign, and scan. Then file it with the court — either through the online portal or by email to the relevant court office.

This approach means you get expert-level guidance on every field without needing to interpret the form alone. Chris knows what the court expects in each box. You know your case. Between the two of you, the form gets completed properly.

Step 4: Format to Court Standards

Judges notice formatting. A well-presented document signals that you have taken the proceedings seriously and that your arguments deserve careful attention. A poorly formatted document — wrong font, no paragraph numbers, inconsistent spacing — creates the opposite impression before the judge has read a single word.

The standard references for court document formatting are:

• The White Book (Civil Procedure) — The authoritative guide to civil litigation practice, including document format requirements.
• The Chancery Guide — Particularly relevant if your case is in the Chancery Division, but its formatting guidance is widely respected across all divisions.

As a general rule, your court documents should follow these conventions:

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point
• Spacing: 1.5 line spacing for the body text
• Margins: At least 25mm on all sides
• Paragraphs: Numbered sequentially (1, 2, 3…) with sub-paragraphs where needed (1.1, 1.2…)
• Page numbers: Bottom centre of every page
• Heading: The court name, case number, and parties at the top of the document
• Statement of truth: Required on all statements of case and witness statements — Chris will include this automatically

Google Docs handles all of this. Set up a template once and reuse it for every document in your case. If you are unsure about any specific formatting requirement, ask Chris — it can advise on the conventions for the particular type of document you are preparing.

Step 5: Upload Your Case File

Here is where eLitigant becomes truly powerful. As your case develops, you will receive documents from the other side — their defence, witness statements, disclosed documents, correspondence, court orders. Upload all of these to your conversation with Chris.

You can upload PDF files directly into the chat. This means Chris has the full picture of your case:

• The other side’s defence or counterclaim — so Chris can identify weaknesses and draft targeted responses
• Correspondence between the parties — so Chris understands the history and can reference specific letters or emails
• Court orders and directions — so Chris knows exactly what is required and by when
• Disclosed documents — so Chris can review the evidence and help you build your arguments
• Your own previous filings — so everything remains consistent and cross-referenced

The more Chris knows about your case, the better the output. By the time you reach a hearing, Chris will have a comprehensive understanding of every document filed, every argument made, and every order the court has issued. This is the equivalent of instructing counsel who has read the entire brief — not just a summary.

Step 6: Prepare for Your Hearing

This is where everything comes together. By the time your hearing approaches, you and Chris will have built a complete case file. Now it is time to prepare the documents that will actually be presented to the judge.

Skeleton Argument

A skeleton argument is a concise written summary of your legal submissions. It is not a repeat of your witness statement or particulars of claim — it is a focused document that tells the judge what legal issues arise, what your position is on each one, and why you should succeed. Chris will draft this in the proper format: short numbered paragraphs, clear legal propositions, and references to the relevant authorities and evidence.

Witness Statements

If you need to file additional witness statements — yours or from supporting witnesses — Chris will ensure they follow the correct format under Practice Direction 32. This includes the proper heading, the statement of truth, numbered paragraphs in chronological order, and clear references to exhibited documents.

Hearing Script

This is your personal preparation tool. Chris can prepare a structured hearing script — essentially a guide for what to say, when to say it, and how to respond to likely questions from the judge or arguments from the other side. It is not a rigid script to read aloud. It is a framework that ensures you cover every point you need to make, in the right order, with complete deference to the court.

A good hearing script will include:

• Your opening submissions — brief, respectful, setting out what you are asking the court to do and why
• Key points to make under each issue — with references to the evidence and legal authorities
• Anticipated arguments from the other side — and your responses to each
• Questions you may be asked by the judge — and clear, honest answers
• Your closing submissions — a concise summary of why the court should find in your favour

Remember: judges appreciate litigants in person who are well prepared, polite, and respectful of the court’s time. Arriving with a clear skeleton argument, organised documents, and a structured approach to your submissions will serve you far better than any amount of passion or indignation.

The Workflow at a Glance

Stage	What You Do	What Chris Does
1. Brief Chris	Explain your case, provide facts and dates	Asks clarifying questions, identifies the legal framework
2. First draft	Review the text Chris produces	Drafts the document with correct structure and legal language
3. Format	Paste into Google Docs, apply court formatting	Advises on formatting conventions if asked
4. Refine	Add nuance, correct details, note your changes	Reviews your amendments, tightens language, improves structure
5. Build the file	Upload opposition documents and court orders	Analyses the full case picture, identifies strengths and risks
6. Prepare for hearing	Request skeleton argument, witness statements, hearing script	Produces court-ready documents informed by the entire case file

A Note on Service Levels

eLitigant offers different service tiers to suit your needs. Our Litigator, Solicitor, and Barrister tiers provide increasing levels of consultation allowance for managing cases of different complexity. Whether you are handling a single small claim or running multiple cases simultaneously, there is a tier designed for you. Visit our Services page for full details.

Getting Started

You do not need to wait until you are deep into litigation to start using eLitigant. Many of our users begin with a simple question — “Do I have a claim?” or “What should I do about this letter I have received?” — and build from there.

The earlier you start, the better prepared you will be. A well-drafted letter before action can resolve a dispute before it ever reaches court. And if it does go to court, you will already have a comprehensive case file and a clear strategy in place.

Ready to begin? Talk to Chris and start building your case today.

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Complex case? If your matter involves multiple documents, enforcement across courts, or multi-track allocation, see our Hybrid Assisted Drafting plan — 1,000 pages of barrister-grade drafting for £1,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any legal knowledge to use eLitigant?

No. Chris is designed to guide litigants in person through the process step by step, regardless of legal experience. You explain your situation in plain English, and Chris helps you produce documents that meet the standards the court expects. Chris will explain legal concepts and terminology as you go.

What types of documents can Chris help me prepare?

Chris can help with a wide range of court documents including particulars of claim, defences and counterclaims, witness statements, application notices (N244), skeleton arguments, letters before action, Part 36 offers, schedules of loss, and responses to directions questionnaires. Chris follows the Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Directions for all document types.

Can I use eLitigant for cases in any court?

Chris is designed for civil litigation in England and Wales, covering the County Court, High Court, and tribunals. This includes small claims track, fast track, and multi-track cases. Chris follows the Civil Procedure Rules, the White Book, and relevant Practice Directions applicable to these courts.

How do I export my documents from eLitigant?

Chris produces documents in a format you can copy into Google Docs or Microsoft Word for final formatting and printing. Documents are structured with proper court headings, paragraph numbering, and formatting that complies with Practice Direction 5A requirements for court documents.

Is my case information kept confidential?

Yes. Your conversations with Chris are private and confidential. eLitigant is a Community Interest Company with a mission of access to justice, not data exploitation. Your case details are not shared with third parties and are used solely to assist you with your legal documents.

Can Chris give me legal advice?

Chris provides legal information and document preparation assistance, not formal legal advice. Chris helps you understand the Civil Procedure Rules, prepare court-compliant documents, and navigate court processes. For complex cases or where you need formal legal representation, Chris can help you understand when to seek a solicitor or barrister.

Related Guides

• Do You Have a Claim? How to Evaluate Your Case Before Court
• How to Start a Money Claim in 2026: OCMC Replaces N1
• Form N244: How to Complete an Application Notice (2026)
• Form N225: How to Get Default Judgment in 2026
• How to Enforce a County Court Judgment in 2026

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From £30000. Step-by-step document drafting and court preparation.

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eLitigant is a Community Interest Company dedicated to access to justice. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different — Chris will help you understand the specific requirements of yours.