Before Printing Court Documents in BC: A Checklist for Self-Represented Litigants
- Sarah Bennet
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
A common problem in legal printing is receiving a print request before anyone has confirmed where the documents are going, how they will be filed, or how many copies are actually required.
For a self-represented litigant, printing may be only one part of the process. Filing at the court registry, delivering documents to another party, and producing the printed copies may involve different service providers.
Before submitting a court document printing request, it helps to confirm each step separately.
This article offers practical document-production guidance. It is not legal advice.
Start With the Court Registry
Before arranging printing, review the court’s current instructions and contact the registry about administrative filing requirements, including:
The correct registry location
Whether the registry has a current form, checklist, or completion instruction for the document you intend to submit
Whether filing may be completed electronically or requires paper copies
The number of copies required by the court
Whether you need additional copies for your records or for other parties
The applicable filing deadline
Whether any filing fee, appointment, or delivery instruction applies
The registry can explain its administrative filing process, but it cannot prepare your documents or give you legal advice.
Requirements can vary considerably. For example, British Columbia Court of Appeal instructions encourage self-represented parties to use electronic filing in civil appeals, while also setting out specific requirements for paper court records.
Do not assume that the printer, courier, or process server can determine which documents you are required to file.
Confirm How the Documents Will Be Served
Filing a document with the court does not necessarily mean that the other parties have been properly served.
Before printing service copies, contact a process-serving company or obtain guidance from the applicable court resource. Confirm:
What document needs to be served
Who must receive it
The service address
The service deadline
Whether the copy must first be filed or stamped
How many complete copies the process server requires
What service confirmation or affidavit will be provided
Ask the process server about its service area, rush availability, number of attempts, pickup arrangements, and the information it needs from you.
CETTEC does not select, direct, or supervise process servers. Completed document sets can, however, be prepared for pickup by the filing agent, courier, process server, or representative chosen by the client.
Not Every Court Filing Needs Specialized Binding
Not every court document has the same production requirements.
A short form may need only straightforward printing. A larger court record may require:
Sequential page numbering
A table of contents matching the printed pages
PDF bookmarks and page labels
Coloured front and back covers
Tabs or dividers
Cerlox binding
Single-sided or double-sided printing
Separate volumes
Multiple filing and service copies
For example, British Columbia Court of Appeal appeal records and appeal books have specific instructions for page order, pagination, cover colour, double-sided printing, Cerlox binding, volume divisions, and copy counts.
A Book of Authorities may require a table of contents, a tab for each authority, designated cover colours, sequential page numbering, and a complete table of contents in every volume.
These examples do not apply to every court document. Confirm the instructions for your particular court, registry, document type, and proceeding before ordering specialized production.
What to Send With Your Print Request
Once the filing and service arrangements are confirmed, send the printer one complete set of instructions.
Include:
The correct document order
Final pagination or Bates numbering
An updated table of contents
Required bookmarks and PDF page labels
Tab numbers and tab names
Cover and back-cover instructions
Single-sided or double-sided printing
Binding or hole-punching instructions
The exact number of court, service, and personal copies
The required completion time
The name of the person or company collecting the order
Where multiple documents have been combined into one PDF, confirm that the file is searchable, the bookmarks are clear, and the PDF page search matches the visible page numbering. British
Columbia Court of Appeal instructions also note the importance of OCR, meaningful bookmarks, matching page labels, and a properly organized table of contents.
Avoid sending several partly revised files unless their order is clearly identified. A single final PDF usually reduces the risk of duplicate pages, missing sections, and outdated replacements.
Final Checklist Before Printing
Before submitting your files, confirm:
I contacted the correct registry.
I know whether the filing is electronic or paper.
I confirmed the filing deadline.
I confirmed the required number of court copies.
I know who will file or deliver the documents.
I confirmed whether another party must be served.
I contacted a process server where required.
My PDF is final and in the correct order.
My table of contents matches the page numbering.
My print instructions identify copies, covers, tabs, binding, and deadline.
The printer knows who will collect the completed materials.
Final Takeaway
Do not begin by guessing the copy count.
First confirm where the documents must go, how they must be filed, whether another party must be served, and who is responsible for each handoff. Once those details are settled, the printing request becomes much clearer.
CETTEC prepares court and litigation materials from client-approved files and can organize completed sets for pickup by the client’s chosen courier, filing agent, process server, or authorized representative.
Clear instructions at the beginning help reduce rework when a filing deadline is already close.
Filing Instructions Confirmed? Start Your Legal Print Order
