Court Exhibit Preparation
Trial prep requires organized, properly labeled exhibits. Manual preparation wastes hours you could spend on strategy. Automate the stamping process and focus on what matters—winning your case.
Trial is Monday. 50 exhibits still need stamps...
You've spent weeks preparing your case. Witness outlines are ready. Arguments are sharp. But you're still facing hours of tedious exhibit stamping—time better spent on final trial prep.
Exhibit Preparation for Every Proceeding
Different proceedings have different exhibit requirements. ExhibitPrep provides templates and workflows for all of them.
Trial Exhibits
Exhibits presented at trial require formal labeling with party designation. Plaintiff uses numbers (1, 2, 3), defendant uses letters (A, B, C) in most jurisdictions.
Deposition Exhibits
Documents marked during depositions include deponent name and date. May be pre-marked or marked during testimony. Often re-designated as trial exhibits later.
Motion Exhibits
Exhibits supporting motions must match citations in your brief. Often labeled as "Attachment" or "Exhibit" followed by letter/number.
Hearing Exhibits
Non-trial court hearings (motions, OSC, status conferences) use same labeling conventions as trial exhibits. May be pre-marked or marked by clerk.
Arbitration Exhibits
Arbitration proceedings may have specific exhibit requirements. Check tribunal rules. ExhibitPrep provides Claimant/Respondent templates.
Administrative Exhibits
Administrative hearings (EEOC, workers comp, licensing boards) may have agency-specific requirements. Verify format before the hearing.
The Exhibit Preparation Process
Gather & Organize
Collect all documents. Arrange in presentation order. Group by witness or topic for complex cases.
Upload Documents
Drag and drop PDFs into ExhibitPrep. Upload multiple files at once for batch processing.
Configure Template
Select party designation. Add case number and court name. Choose numbering style.
Position & Preview
Drag stamps to desired position. Preview each document. Verify placement before processing.
Download Exhibits
Export individually, as ZIP, or combined PDF with table of contents. Ready for court.
File or Present
Submit to court via e-filing or bring printed copies. Exhibits are court-ready.
Exhibit Preparation Best Practices
Best Practices
- Start exhibit prep early—don't wait until the night before
- Use consistent formatting across all exhibits
- Create an exhibit list that matches your labels
- Organize exhibits in the order you'll present them
- Have extra copies for court, opposing counsel, and witnesses
- Preview all stamps before downloading
Common Mistakes
- Skipping numbers in the sequence (1, 2, 4...)
- Using wrong party designation (Plaintiff on defense exhibits)
- Stamps that obscure important document content
- Inconsistent positioning from page to page
- Forgetting to verify exhibit list matches actual exhibits
- Last-minute rush leading to errors
Time Investment Comparison
| Task | ExhibitPrep | Manual Method | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small case (10 exhibits) | ~3 minutes | 30-50 minutes | 90% faster |
| Medium case (25 exhibits) | ~5 minutes | 75-125 minutes | 95% faster |
| Complex case (50 exhibits) | ~10 minutes | 2.5-4 hours | 96% faster |
| Major trial (100+ exhibits) | ~20 minutes | 5-8+ hours | 97% faster |
Court Exhibit Preparation Questions
How do I prepare exhibits for a court trial?
To prepare trial exhibits: (1) Gather all documents you plan to use as evidence, (2) Organize them in the order you'll present them, (3) Label each with sequential exhibit numbers or letters using proper party designation, (4) Position stamps consistently across all documents, (5) Create an exhibit list matching your labels. ExhibitPrep automates steps 3-5.
What is the difference between trial and deposition exhibits?
Trial exhibits are used at trial and marked with party designation (Plaintiff's Exhibit 1). Deposition exhibits are marked during depositions and include the deponent's name and date. Both require proper labeling, but deposition exhibits may be re-marked as trial exhibits later. ExhibitPrep provides templates for both.
When should I prepare exhibits before trial?
Prepare exhibits as early as possible—ideally weeks before trial for complex cases. However, ExhibitPrep makes last-minute preparation feasible. Most users complete a full trial exhibit set in 10-20 minutes. The Day Pass option provides 24-hour unlimited access for intensive trial prep sessions.
How do I prepare exhibits for a hearing?
Hearing exhibits follow the same conventions as trial exhibits: sequential labeling with party designation. For motion hearings, exhibits should match citations in your brief. Upload all documents to ExhibitPrep, select your template, and download stamped exhibits ready for filing or presentation.
Can I prepare exhibits for opposing counsel or joint exhibits?
Yes. ExhibitPrep includes templates for Joint Exhibits and Stipulated Exhibits where parties agree on document authenticity. For document productions, you can use neutral exhibit formatting. The tool supports all party configurations including multi-party litigation.
How do I organize complex exhibit sets with multiple witnesses?
For complex trials, organize exhibits by witness or topic. Use the combine feature to create exhibit binders with tables of contents. You can create separate exhibit sets for each witness, then combine into a master binder. ExhibitPrep supports slipsheets for category separation.
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