By Talk to a Lawyer · Published 20 September 2026 · 3 minute read
A chronology is a working map of events. Its purpose is to let an adviser see what happened, in what order and where the supporting record can be found. It is different from a persuasive statement or a complete archive. Keep it factual, label uncertainty and make the important documents easy to locate. A concise first version is more useful than waiting until every gap has been solved.
Choose the columns before writing the story
Start with date, event, people involved, supporting document and uncertainty. Keep the event column short and use ordinary language. Put your questions in a separate column or list so they do not become mixed into the factual account.
Use the date shown on a document where relevant, but distinguish it from when you received or acted on it. If several events happened on one day, number them or add times only where those times are known and useful. Do not create false precision to make the timeline look complete.
Describe actions rather than conclusions
Write “the invoice was emailed” rather than “they deliberately ignored the agreement.” An adviser can assess the significance of an event after seeing the record. If your interpretation matters to your concern, label it as your view and identify the facts behind it.
Include important facts that do not support your preferred account. Omitting them can make the first advice less useful and create avoidable work when they appear later. A chronology for obtaining advice should help the lawyer understand the situation, not hide its difficult parts.
Link records without altering originals
Give each relevant file a simple identifier and record that identifier beside the event. Keep originals unchanged and put annotations in a separate working copy or note. Ask the office how it wants documents supplied and avoid sending an enormous attachment bundle without an index.
If a record is missing, describe what you believe existed and why, making the uncertainty clear. Do not reconstruct an email and present it as the original. The adviser can discuss appropriate ways to obtain further material if it is needed.
End with the unresolved questions
After the timeline, list the decisions you need advice about and any upcoming dates. Ask whether the adviser needs more detail about a particular period or event before expanding everything. A focused request can save you time and make the review more efficient.
When you discover a correction, date the new version and tell the office what changed. Keep a copy of the version supplied so later discussions refer to the same account. A chronology is a tool that can improve as records are checked.
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A preparation aid, not confirmation that a legal requirement is complete.
Common questions
How long should a chronology be?
Long enough to explain the important sequence without reproducing every message. Start with a concise version and ask which parts need expansion. The complexity of the matter determines the useful level of detail.
Should I leave out facts that hurt my position?
Provide an accurate account, including difficult facts. The adviser needs to understand them to assess options. Separate a fact from your explanation or interpretation rather than silently omitting it.
Sources and scope
General appointment preparation, not advice about your individual circumstances. Examples are illustrative, not client case studies. Sources provide further reading; confirm current requirements with the relevant service or adviser.
- Legal Aid NSW: dealing with your lawyer
NSW legal-profession complaints and service issues; other professions have different regulators and rules.
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