Service Charge Guide
Stage3of 5

Manage the tribunal case

If your First-tier Tribunal (FTT) case has started, keep track of deadlines, organise the hearing documents and prepare what you will say.

Start with these three checks

  1. Record each tribunal instruction (direction), deadline, recipient and proof of sending in a tracker.
  2. Prepare an indexed set of hearing documents (the bundle), following the tribunal's directions.
  3. Check the consequence stated in the direction before requesting a further order.

Guidance for this stage

Start with the first topic for an introduction, or choose the guidance for the task you are returning to.

Follow tribunal directions and deal with missed deadlinesTurn the tribunal’s instructions into a deadline plan. If the other side does not comply, record what happened and check what order to request.12 min Build an evidence bundle the tribunal can useFor a First-tier Tribunal (FTT) hearing, a bundle is an indexed set of case documents and evidence. Follow the directions and make each disputed point easy to check.16 min Use the issue schedule to guide the hearingPrepare a short opening for your First-tier Tribunal (FTT) hearing. Use your issue schedule, the table of disputed charges, to explain each point and keep costs requests separate.9 min Understand tribunal fees and legal costsAt the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), you can ask for fees back, protection from the landlord’s legal costs, or costs for unreasonable conduct. Each request has a different purpose and test.12 min

Examples to help you prepare

These fictional examples show how to organise the work. Use them to start a document or check one you already have. Replace the example facts and figures before using any wording in your case.

Example: an index for your hearing documents

This sample index shows where to find each group of hearing documents. Follow the section order required by the tribunal's directions.

Read: Build an evidence bundle the tribunal can use

A · pages 2–12Directions, later notices and orders

B · pages 13–28Application, statements of case and permitted reply

C · pages 29–62Leases, variations and relevant plans

D · pages 63–71Current schedule of items in dispute

E · pages 72–94Demands, accounts and payment records

F · pages 95–148Invoices and underlying records, separated by charge year

G · pages 149–176Reports, relevant correspondence, photographs, quotations and consultation material

H · pages 177–190Signed witness statements and permitted expert evidence

Check your own document

  • Arrange sections in the order required by the directions and record each start and end page.
  • Count the index and divider pages in the pagination.
  • Add PDF bookmarks that use the same wording as the index.

Example: linking a disputed charge to evidence

A page map lets the panel follow the issue without searching through every invoice or email.

Read: Build an evidence bundle the tribunal can use

IssueI-003 · communal cleaning · 2025/26

QuestionWere six visits provided, and what amount was reasonably payable?

Witness evidenceApplicant statement, paragraph 12

DocumentsInvoice and contractor visit record, bundle pages 103–107; dated photographs, pages 151–154

Amount affected£140

Gap to addressThe response mentions two subcontracted visits but gives no dates or attendance record.

Check your own document

  • Record final bundle page ranges beside each disputed charge in your issue schedule.
  • Link a witness paragraph to the document instead of expecting the document to explain itself.
  • Record the other party's answer and the precise evidential gap.

A direction converted into a working deadline

The order gives the instructions. The tracker records who must act, who must receive each document and how you will prove it was sent.

Read: Follow tribunal directions and deal with missed deadlines

DirectionParagraph 8 · exchange signed witness statements

Due4pm, 12 September

OwnerApplicant representative

ServeRespondent and tribunal, by the methods stated in the order

ProofSaved sent message, attachment list and delivery confirmation

StatusFinal check booked for 10 September; service not yet complete

Check your own document

  • For each calendar entry, record the direction’s paragraph number and exact deadline.
  • List every recipient and service method, not just 'send statement'.
  • Keep the exact attachment set that was served.

Templates and checklists

Choose a download, then adapt it
FTT hearing-bundle cover, index and checklistFirst-tier Tribunal (FTT) · Word
Court or tribunal procedure · Reviewed 27 August 2026Privacy note: The private real bundle used a compact index followed by divider pages and the actual evidence. The public example demonstrates that structure without reproducing the evidence pages.
FTT costs application packFirst-tier Tribunal (FTT) · Word
Court or tribunal procedure · Reviewed 5 September 2026Based on: The worked case obtained section 20C protection but not Rule 13 costs, showing why these routes must remain separate.
Rule 13 costs and causation scheduleFirst-tier Tribunal (FTT) · Excel
Court or tribunal procedure · Reviewed 5 September 2026Based on: The worked case’s Rule 13 application was refused. This tool records the grounds and amount of a request; it does not predict the tribunal’s decision.