The political correspondence files are arranged and listed by their main covering dates, but each file may contain material of a slightly earlier or later date, which may be specified in the file description. In addition, some correspondents sent Lord Hailsham documents of a much earlier date relating to his grandfather, Quintin Hogg, or father, Douglas Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham, which have also been noted.

Each series of correspondence files is arranged alphabetically by the name of correspondent. However, sometimes letters were filed by a correspondent's first name, title, or the name of their organisation.