Late submission of documents for initial hearing and proposed index of bundle

[Soopermum1]

The other side and their lawyer are late to submit their second round of documentation. I have chased this twice and their lawyer has now said I'll get it soon, but that I should send the bundle index, for her examination.

I haven't even started on gathering the bundle together, I had thought I would have time to do it when all the documents are in.

I don't have to send her the index before she sends me the documents, right?

Only the applicant usually has to produce a bundle. Are you respondent?

I'm the applicant, but the respondent wants to see the index

If you are in person and your ex is represented it is for his solicitor to prepare the bundle. As they should know.

Practice direction 27a rule 3

www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/family/practice_directions/pd_part_27a

As above - the bundle falls to be prepared by the legally represented party.

Thanks for the correction. I'd assumed both parties were represented.

Ooh, that's great. In my chasing emails to her for her documentation, I said I needed time to prepare the bundle. I also asked, in the same email if she would be representing him. She replied to my email, saying she would be representing him and could she get the index.
So I just go back to her and say, sorry, mistake, you should prepare the bundle, using my submitted documents?

Yep. Really poor behaviour to try to dump it on you.

Thanks, really appreciate it. I was panicking as I don't know how to prepare a bundle and what with being the sole carer for the children, it was a task I can do without.

Can I say something in court about the late submission (twice) of their documentation. I did point out to her it put me at a disadvantage. I want to ask that going forward, we exchange documents on time (as I have done)

You can try, judges can tend to be a bit "well we're here now" about these things, they just want to push the case onwards, but if their delay is really bad the judge may have words.