An invoice dated April 4 does not establish that a delivery occurred that day. A factual chronology earns its usefulness through distinctions like this. Each entry should take the attorney to the supporting record and show what remains uncertain. That makes it easier to check a theory against the file before anyone relies on it.
Set the Timeline’s Scope
Ask the supervising attorney which events and period to cover. In a delivery dispute, start with the order, the promised delivery and the records showing what actually happened. A workplace investigation may need a different sequence. Include an event because it answers the assignment, rather than because its email has a date.
Use neutral descriptions. “Customer emailed a rejection of the shipment” identifies an event. Add the source reference and preserve the message. The attorney can then assess its legal significance. The Michigan Bar Journal’s chronology guidance distinguishes a list of documents from a timeline of the facts they support. Apply that distinction when choosing the entry and its reference.
| Column | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Event Date | Date or range supported by the record |
| Event | Neutral description of what happened |
| Source Reference | File identifier and page or message location |
| Date Basis | Contemporaneous record or later account |
| Open Question | Conflict or missing evidence for counsel |
Record Dates and Uncertainty
Retain the source timestamp and its time zone when available. If the team normalizes times, document the conversion and keep the original value. Use “Date Not Established” instead of guessing from a filename.
Distinguish the date an event happened from the date someone described it. If two sources conflict, show both and identify the conflict. Do not choose whichever account makes the story easier to read.
Verify the Source Links
Open the cited records for a sample of entries. Confirm the page references and read the surrounding text, including attachments. A link that opens the correct folder is insufficient if the reviewer still has to search for the passage. Use a stable document reference or page number that the team can reproduce.
Have counsel review interpretations and identify uncertainties that need more work. Preserve a dated version before substantial revisions. When a new record changes an event date, explain the revision in the change note so another attorney can follow how the chronology developed.
- Every material event has a source reference.
- Inferences are labeled for attorney review.
- Conflicting dates remain visible.
- The source can be opened by the intended reviewer.