Bates Numbering
Practical field guides.
Practical explanations, layout examples, and answers to the things that tend to go wrong. Start with the guide that matches your job.
What Is Bates Numbering? Definition, History, and Modern Use
Bates numbering explained: its origin at the Bates Manufacturing Company, how the stamp works, and why courts and firms still use it for legal documents.
Read the guide FIELD NOTE / 02Bates Numbering Format: Prefixes, Padding, and Best Practices
A practical reference for Bates numbering format: prefix conventions, digit padding, confidentiality suffixes, and placement rules, with worked examples.
Read the guide FIELD NOTE / 03Confidentiality Designations Alongside Bates Identifiers
Distinguish stable Bates identifiers from confidentiality designations. Plan placement and later designation changes against the agreed production protocol.
Read the guide FIELD NOTE / 04Bates Numbering in E-Discovery: Productions, FRCP, and Control Numbers
How Bates numbering functions inside e-discovery productions: FRCP 34 context, Bates vs control numbers, native vs imaged files, and numbering protocols.
Read the guide FIELD NOTE / 05Bates Numbers vs Page Numbers: Why Legal Documents Need Both IDs
Bates numbers and page numbers look similar but serve different jobs. See why legal documents need both, with a comparison table and citation examples.
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