TrueTool
UK / Commonwealth Legal Word Numbering Template
The UK / Commonwealth Legal template uses clause-based numbering common in UK and Commonwealth contracts: top-level clauses 1., sub-clauses 1.1, then parenthesized letters and numerals — (a), (i), (1) — down through nine levels.
Unlike the US style there is no ARTICLE layer — the decimal clause number is the primary citation unit, which is how most English-law agreements read.
Numbering Preview
This is how the numbering reads in Word, from Heading 1 down to Heading 9. Levels 6–9 are collapsed below.
- L11.Definitions and Interpretation
- L21.1Defined Terms
- L3(a)Clause
- L4(i)Sub-clause
- L5(1)Item
Show levels 6–9
- L6a.Sub-item
- L7i.Provision
- L8(A)Part
- L9(I)Division
Numbering Structure
All nine levels are linked to Word's built-in Heading styles: apply Heading 1 and level 1 numbering appears, Heading 2 and level 2 appears, and so on. Numbering is followed by a single space — no stray tab jumps.
| Level | Linked style | Number format |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heading 1 | 1. |
| 2 | Heading 2 | 1.1 |
| 3 | Heading 3 | (a) |
| 4 | Heading 4 | (i) |
| 5 | Heading 5 | (1) |
| 6 | Heading 6 | a. |
| 7 | Heading 7 | i. |
| 8 | Heading 8 | (A) |
| 9 | Heading 9 | (I) |
Fonts: Times New Roman · Indent: 0.25 in per level, hanging indent
Who This Template Is For
- UK and Commonwealth contracts
- Clause-by-clause drafting of agreements
- Terms & conditions and service agreements
In practice: "1. Definitions and Interpretation", "1.1 Defined Terms", "1.1(a)" — every sub-clause cited as clause 1.1(a)(i) stays stable when earlier clauses are added or removed.
How It Works in Word
Double-click the .dotx and Word opens a new, unnamed document based on the template. Type a heading, apply a Heading style from the Styles gallery, and the number appears. Add, delete, move, or promote headings — the numbering re-calculates itself, because it is defined inside the style, not typed into the text.
Save your finished document as .docx and the numbering stays with it. Works on Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024/2021/2019/2016, Word for Mac, and WPS Office.