Creating a timeline is essential when filing a dispute. A timeline allows you to organise your thoughts and the events in question, and present them in a coherent and logical order. Giving a timeline to Sydney lawyers will provide them with a factual and descriptive resource to which they can refer to throughout the case.
Lawyers use the timeline for various case-related steps in the process. These steps include the draft creation of the complaint to be filed with the Court, preparing responses for questions to be asked during a trial, and many more. Ensuring that your timeline is as complete as possible is vital.
Tips for Creating a Timeline for Your Lawyer in Sydney
Here are some tips that can help you while preparing your timeline:
1. Your Timeline is Confidential.
Keep in mind that you should keep the information you share and the discussions you have with your lawyer. Sharing your conversations with your lawyer has serious implications. Be careful.
2. Arrange Every Detail by the Date it Happened.
Your timeline should be as factual and accurate as possible. In case you are unable to remember the exact date of the event, try to put down the month and year. If you cannot remember the month, identify whether the incident happened before or after some other events in the timeline.
3. Include Details Like Full names, Job Titles, Etc.
You should identify people using their full names whenever applicable. You should also include their job titles and company, especially if more than one company is involved.
4. Start from the Beginning.
For example, if you are filing an employment-related complaint, you should start your timeline from the time the company hired you.
5. Include Written or Verbal Reviews, E-mails, Instructions, Comments, Etc.
You should include any written or verbal comments or reviews directed at you by the person in question. For example, in an office setting, you should add any inappropriate or discriminative comment directed at you by your employer to your timeline. However, to support how you were treated unfairly, you should also include incidents when you were recognised for doing a good job.
6. Include Any Incidents or Details Related to Your Dispute.
For example, if you feel like your workmates or employers discriminate against you, then include events where you were treated unfairly. You need to be very specific as to when the incident happened, what action was done, who is involved, and what the results are.
7. You Should Include the Effects.
You should indicate the effect that the incidents in question had on your personal life. Also, include other responses you made about the incident. Depending on the case you are filing a dispute for, the damages may be financial, physical, mental or emotional.
You should indicate how your loss of income is related to your dispute. In case the damages are related to your health, include the expenses that you have incurred like hospital bills and medications.
8. Include Pieces of Evidence Related to the Damages.
You will need pieces of evidence to prove the damages that have transpired due to the event you are filing a case with the Court for. In case of unfair dismissal, you should have proof that you have been trying to get a job since you have been unlawfully dismissed. For health-related damages, you should obtain copies of your medical and psychological records.
9. Include a List of Witnesses.
Indicate both favourable and unfavourable witnesses. Include their address, telephone numbers, positions held and a summary of the knowledge of those witnesses if possible.
Final Thoughts
A dispute is never a pleasant thing to deal with, but it is something that does need to be resolved. Timelines are important when filing complaints as it gives your lawyer in Sydney and the Court a clear picture of what occurred and what led the disagreement to a legal action.