Evidence workflow · 4 min
What is a board pack
How DefenceFile generates a reviewable board pack from your evidence file and what the pack contains.
Help baseline: 2026-06-15
Board-pack overview
A board pack is a structured export of the evidence file at a point in time — covering evidence by principle, open gaps, named review decisions, source dates, and an integrity hash. It is designed for board or adviser review, not as a submission to a regulator.
- The pack is generated from the live workspace state at the moment of export.
- It includes all reviewed evidence, open principle gaps, and the source register.
- Named reviewer decisions travel with the evidence — the board sees who approved what.
- A hash seals the export: sharing the pack lets an adviser confirm it has not changed since generation.
Export gate conditions
The workspace shows an export gate — a set of conditions the file must meet before a General Counsel sign-off export is generated. If the gate is blocked, the workspace shows the reasons.
- All evidence items must have a named human review decision (approved or rejected).
- No principle gaps may remain (all six principles must have reviewed evidence).
- The board-pack attestation must be signed by the named owner.
- A forced export is available when the gate is blocked — it carries the blocker reasons in the manifest.
Hash seal and integrity
The export hash covers the generation timestamp, full board-pack content, and the manifest — which includes the source register, risk trace, blocker reasons, and approval state. Source: DefenceFile integrity design (D12).
- 'Manifest consistent' on the adviser view means the pack re-hashes to the same value — it has not changed since generation.
- The hash is computed by the workspace server clock, not an independent timestamping authority.
- The hash proves this pack, in this state, on this date. It does not prove legal adequacy.
- An external timestamp anchor can be added for engagements that require one.
Boundary
DefenceFile help explains workflow operation. It does not provide legal advice, create privilege, certify scope, certify reasonable procedures, or guarantee that a statutory defence will succeed.
Request pilot review