NCJ Number
174491
Journal
Judicature Volume: 82 Issue: 1 Dated: July-August 1998 Pages: 13-22
Date Published
1998
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article examines the growing incidence of litigation by people who represent themselves.
Abstract
Pro se litigation (litigation by persons representing themselves) is a growing phenomenon in American courts. As their presence in court increases, and the types of legal cases in which they appear are expanding, self-represented litigants are making increased demands for services from court staff. A survey of judges and court administrators disclosed that few courts have general policies regarding how pro se litigants should be handled in the courtroom or in the litigation process generally. However, about half of survey respondents have established pro se assistance programs or services to provide information and technology support (e.g., computer kiosks), clinics, and self-service centers. Some courts and bar associations have begun to address pro se litigation by forming task forces or committees to study the phenomenon and to address it within the existing boundaries of the adversary process. Notes, tables