A trench box (10, 200), comprising: first and second side panels (12, 18); and one or more lateral supports, wherein the first and second side panels (12, 18) are connectable in parallel spaced relation by said one or more lateral supports, wherein each lateral support comprises: side supports (38, 40), whereby, when the side panels (12, 18) are connected in said parallel spaced relation, said side supports (38, 40) are mounted between the side panels (12, 18) and the lateral supports, each side support (38, 40) extending along a respective first or second side panel (12, 18) in a direction perpendicular to a respective pivot axis that is parallel to the side panels (12, 18) and perpendicular to the lateral support; and first and second connection points, respectively at a first end and a second end of said lateral support, that are adapted to connect the first and second side panels (12, 18) to said lateral support via the respective side supports (38, 40), the connection points being adapted to secure the first and second side panels (12, 18) in said parallel spaced relation; the one or more lateral supports being in parallel spaced relation when more than one lateral supports are connected between the first and second side panels (12, 18); each connection point comprising a pivot connection that permits pivotal movement of the respective first or second side panel (12, 18) relative to the lateral support about the respective pivot axis, and a releasable connection, provided at a fixed, spaced position relative to the pivot connection in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, the releasable connection being selectively engageable to secure the respective first or second side panel (12, 18) in a pivotally fixed position relative to the pivot connection in said parallel spaced relation, and selectively releasable to permit the respective first or second side panel (12, 18) to pivot from the pivotally fixed position about the respective pivot axis such that the panels (12, 18) are not parallel, wherein the releasable connections are maintained in said fixed, spaced positions relative to the respective pivot connections when the releasable connections are engaged and when the releasable connections are released. first and second side panels (12, 18); and one or more lateral supports, wherein the first and second side panels (12, 18) are connectable in parallel spaced relation by said one or more lateral supports, wherein each lateral support comprises: side supports (38, 40), whereby, when the side panels (12, 18) are connected in said parallel spaced relation, said side supports (38, 40) are mounted between the side panels (12, 18) and the lateral supports, each side support (38, 40) extending along a respective first or second side panel (12, 18) in a direction perpendicular to a respective pivot axis that is parallel to the side panels (12, 18) and perpendicular to the lateral support; and first and second connection points, respectively at a first end and a second end of said lateral support, that are adapted to connect the first and second side panels (12, 18) to said lateral support via the respective side supports (38, 40), the connection points being adapted to secure the first and second side panels (12, 18) in said parallel spaced relation; side supports (38, 40), whereby, when the side panels (12, 18) are connected in said parallel spaced relation, said side supports (38, 40) are mounted between the side panels (12, 18) and the lateral supports, each side support (38, 40) extending along a respective first or second side panel (12, 18) in a direction perpendicular to a respective pivot axis that is parallel to the side panels (12, 18) and perpendicular to the lateral support; and first and second connection points, respectively at a first end and a second end of said lateral support, that are adapted to connect the first and second side panels (12, 18) to said lateral support via the respective side supports (38, 40), the connection points being adapted to secure the first and second side panels (12, 18) in said parallel spaced relation; the one or more lateral supports being in parallel spaced relation when more than one lateral supports are connected between the first and second side panels (12, 18); each connection point comprising a pivot connection that permits pivotal movement of the respective first or second side panel (12, 18) relative to the lateral support about the respective pivot axis, and a releasable connection, provided at a fixed, spaced position relative to the pivot connection in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, the releasable connection being selectively engageable to secure the respective first or second side panel (12, 18) in a pivotally fixed position relative to the pivot connection in said parallel spaced relation, and selectively releasable to permit the respective first or second side panel (12, 18) to pivot from the pivotally fixed position about the respective pivot axis such that the panels (12, 18) are not parallel, wherein the releasable connections are maintained in said fixed, spaced positions relative to the respective pivot connections when the releasable connections are engaged and when the releasable connections are released.