CDDA · YOUR WORKING TOOLKIT

Good questions. Strong records.

Blank templates to learn, prepare and document your work. Explore freely, without an account or paid membership.

01Read the lesson
02Use the worksheet
03Practise safely
04Discuss & review

How to use these templates

Choose a kit or search by task. Open the fields and checks, then download an editable Word document (.docx) or copy the template. Use fictional information for practice. Downloading submits nothing to the site. Keep completed records in the approved channel; mandates, reviews and permissions remain separate.

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The template library

5 templates shown ·Selected for this workflow.
R-01
Research & evidence

Issue intake

Define the question before work begins.

Download Word (.docx)
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Requestor and date
  2. Exact question
  3. Jurisdiction and decision-maker
  4. Known deadline
  5. Requested output
  6. Potential overlap
  7. Initial sensitivity class

Completion checks

  • Search the project register
  • Do not promise a legal conclusion
  • Identify urgent legal deadlines for referral

Typical roles: researcher · coordinator · regional coordinator

R-02
Research & evidence

Scope and research plan

Set boundaries, methods, owners and completion gates.

Download Word (.docx)
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Question and exclusions
  2. Definitions
  3. Jurisdiction and date range
  4. Research tasks and owners
  5. Required primary sources
  6. Contrary-evidence plan
  7. Reviewers and due dates
  8. Publication status

Completion checks

  • Use primary sources where available
  • Give exact page, paragraph, section or timestamp
  • Separate facts, allegations, opinions, law, inferences and open questions
  • Record material contrary evidence and unresolved gaps

Typical roles: coordinator · regional coordinator

R-05
Research & evidence

Source register

Preserve provenance for every source.

Download Word (.docx)
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Source ID
  2. Author or issuing body
  3. Title
  4. Publication date
  5. URL or repository
  6. Access date
  7. Source class A–E
  8. Exact location
  9. Verification status
  10. Archive note

Completion checks

  • Use primary sources where available
  • Give exact page, paragraph, section or timestamp
  • Separate facts, allegations, opinions, law, inferences and open questions
  • Record material contrary evidence and unresolved gaps

Typical roles: researcher

R-06
Research & evidence

Evidence matrix

Connect each proposition to evidence and contradiction.

Download Word (.docx)
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Proposition
  2. Classification
  3. Supporting source and location
  4. Contrary source and location
  5. Reliability assessment
  6. Known gap
  7. Researcher status
  8. Reviewer decision

Completion checks

  • Use primary sources where available
  • Give exact page, paragraph, section or timestamp
  • Separate facts, allegations, opinions, law, inferences and open questions
  • Record material contrary evidence and unresolved gaps

Typical roles: researcher · reviewer

R-20
Research & evidence

Original evidence preservation and custody log

Keep originals traceable and distinguish them from working copies.

Download Word (.docx)
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Record ID, collector, collection date/time and time zone
  2. Original source, lawful access method and precise location
  3. Original filename, format, size and optional verified digest
  4. Controlled storage reference and access class; no passwords
  5. Transfer history: from/to, date, purpose and receipt
  6. Working copies, annotations, redactions and version links
  7. Retention instruction, owner and review date
  8. Missing provenance, integrity concerns and escalation

Completion checks

  • Do not overwrite or annotate the preserved original
  • Do not claim this worksheet proves court admissibility
  • Use approved storage and collect only necessary personal data

Typical roles: researcher · coordinator · legal liaison