Build your case
Chronology & decision log.
Turn months of emails, meetings and decisions into a sequence another person can understand without reading the entire case file first.
Chronology is not argument. Record what happened, when, who did it and where the evidence is. Put your interpretation in a separate analysis column or summary.
1. Ground rules2. Main chronology3. Decision log4. Conflicting records5. Turning points6. Current position
1. Ground rules
Do
- Use exact dates where known.
- Identify the organisation or person responsible for the action.
- Reference the document that supports the entry.
- Record the actual decision and any deadline separately.
- Use neutral wording for disputed events.
Avoid
- Turning every row into a paragraph of argument.
- Writing “they ignored me” where the record only shows no reply by a certain date.
- Mixing several months into one entry.
- Removing events that do not support your preferred outcome.
2. Main chronology
| Date | Event / communication | Organisation / person | Evidence ref | Decision / action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3. Decision & deadline log
| Decision | Date received | Decision-maker | Reason given | Deadline / next step | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4. Where records conflict
Do not silently choose the version you prefer. Put the conflict on the page.
| Point | Source A says | Source B says | Can it be resolved? | How will we describe it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5. Turning points
Which three events most changed the position?
Examples: a refusal, new professional evidence, a review decision, a missed deadline, a change in provision.
6. Current position today
What is agreed?
What remains disputed or unanswered?
What is the next decision required, and by whom?
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