Most tenthlining problems are not mysterious software failures. They come from the wrong file, a skipped preview, or mixing up this website’s limits with the court’s e-filing limits. Below are mistakes that show up in day-to-day appeal prep, and how to avoid them.
What is the most expensive mistake?
Paying and filing without opening the numbered PDF. Preview exists so you can see the numbering on your pages. If line numbers sit on stamps, miss a block of text, or start from the wrong bundle, you want to know that before M-Pesa and before the registry.
Rule: preview at least three different pages, download a copy, then file from that copy.
Mistake 1: Numbering a draft instead of the filing PDF
Advocates sometimes upload an older Word-print PDF, a version without the latest annexure, or a file that is still missing the index. Line numbers will be correct on that file and wrong for the appeal you actually intend to lodge.
Avoid it: Finalise order, pagination, and annexures first. Tenthline the PDF you will file, not an earlier export.
Mistake 2: Treating line numbers as page numbers
Page 10 is not the same as line 10. Courts that ask for tenthlining still usually expect sequential page numbers so the record can be cited as “page 42, line 20”.
Avoid it: Keep existing page numbers if the bundle is already paginated — tick the upload option that says the document already has page numbers. If the bundle is not yet paginated, add court pagination first, then tenthline.
Mistake 3: Assuming 500MB is the court portal limit
Tenthlining accepts PDFs up to 500MB so large records can be numbered in one pass. Judiciary e-filing portals often cap uploads much lower. A file that processes successfully here can still be rejected by the portal for size.
Avoid it: After download, check the portal’s current size limit. Split into labelled volumes if needed, and tenthline each volume you will upload.
Mistake 4: Uploading a photo dump instead of a document scan
The service accepts scanned PDFs. It cannot invent clean lines from dark, skewed, or overlapping phone photos. Handwritten notes and heavy stamps also confuse line detection.
Avoid it: Rescan problem pages if you can. If you cannot, preview those pages carefully and ask support before paying if the numbers are unusable.
Mistake 5: Numbering only the submissions and forgetting the record
Written submissions are often tenthlined while the record of appeal is left unmarked. Hearings then stall when counsel cites a line in a record that has no numbers.
Avoid it: Confirm with your filing instructions which documents need line numbers. If the record must be cited by line, number the record as well as the submissions.
Mistake 6: Leaving the file on the website
Processed PDFs are deleted 3 hours after download. Unused or unpaid files are deleted within 24 hours. The site is not a matter-management system.
Avoid it: Download immediately and store the file with the rest of the brief.
Mistake 7: Skipping the “already has page numbers” box
If a record is already paginated and you allow a second set of page numbers, the index and the face of the page can disagree.
Avoid it: Look at page 2 of your PDF before upload. If a page number is already there and it matches your index, tick the box.
Quick recovery if something looks wrong
- Do not pay if preview is clearly wrong.
- Note the page number that failed (cover, table, stamp, scan).
- Email support@tenthlining.com or WhatsApp +254 710 671 768.
- If you already paid and downloaded, keep that PDF and the M-Pesa reference when you write in.