Timeline Builder
Construct chronological timelines from your evidence. Visualize gaps, identify patterns, and produce timeline exhibits for counsel review.
In practice: When the other side says that never happened — you show them when it happened, in order, with sources.
What problem it solves
The Timeline Builder is now integrated into the Nora Matter Workspace. It creates visual, source-linked chronologies from your evidence. Every entry on the timeline links back to the original document or evidence item. Gaps in the record are highlighted and patterns become visible. Access it through the Timeline tab in any Matter.
Who it is for
Litigants who need to prove a sequence of events to a court or investigator.
What you need before starting
- Items in your Matter Evidence register
- An active Nora Matter Workspace
- Verified access via donation or grant support
Step-by-step (plain language)
- 1
What this tool needs
Evidence-backed dates and descriptions already promoted to your Evidence register.
- 2
What you upload or prepare
Organize your evidence first, then click 'Generate Timeline' to build the initial draft.
- 3
What the tool does automatically
Sorts events chronologically, flags possible date conflicts, and highlights long gaps where you have no records.
- 4
What you review manually
Read every date and caption for mistakes, and confirm suggested events to move them from 'Suggested' to 'Confirmed'.
- 5
What you get at the end
A printable chronology and a table you can label as an exhibit draft—requiring your final review.
- 6
When to stop and ask for help
Stop if dates contradict sworn statements you do not understand—those are legal questions.
Deployment and how it runs
Technical sequence (for operators)
- 01Open a Matter in your Workspace
- 02Ensure you have items in your Evidence register
- 03Use 'Generate Timeline' to automatically create events from evidence
- 04Refine, confirm, or dispute suggested events in the Timeline tab
- 05Add manual events for gaps not covered by documentation
Example outputs and proof
- A color-coded visual timeline of events
- A detailed table listing dates, events, and source document links
- A 'Gap Analysis' report showing where evidence is missing
Sample excerpt (illustrative, not from a live case)
Timeline exhibit (illustrative excerpt) ---------------------------------------- Date | Event (short) | Source ------------+----------------------------+--------------------------- 2024-03-01 | Notice of meeting sent | school-district-email.pdf
Visual proof
These are conceptual wireframes, not live product screenshots. They explain layout only—we will swap in real UI captures when available.
Limitations and safety boundaries
- Requires consistent date formatting in source files for best results
- Visual complexity increases with more than 100 events per timeline
Public vs verified vs compute-limited
Full use requires verified community membership to manage cost, abuse risk, and sensitive case material. Nora's Law is a platform and framework—not legislation. These are software tools, not votes or statutes.
Public tools stay public first. Join is for trust, heavier workflows, and collaboration—not a substitute for counsel.
Public tools require public support. Fund Public Access →