• Persons with incomes less than $50,000 are more likely to represent themselves.
• About 20% of self-represented litigants report they can afford an attorney but do not want one.
• Self-represented persons are more likely to be satisfied with the judicial process than those who are represented by attorneys.
• Almost 75% of those who represented themselves in court said they would do it again.

Self-representation, when combined with the power of modern information technology can be an important means of providing increased access to the legal system. 

Bibliography on Self-Representation and "Unbundling" of Legal Services
Cases and Materials on Pro Se Litigation and Related Issues by Jona Goldschmidt, Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Loyola University, Chicago, Prepared for the ABA Lawyers' Conference Annual Meeting, Tucson, Arizona, May, 1997.
The Self-Service Center of Maricopa County, Arizona- a model for courts everywhere that want to provide support to pro se litigants.
Evaluation of Maryland Assisted Pro Se Project
Opinion of the Attorney General of the State of Maryland Opinion No. 95-056 (December 19, 1995)
Concerning Whether Law Advocates Who Provide Services to Victims of Domestic Violence Engage in the Unauthorized Practice of Law

HALT- Americans for Legal Reform leading advocate organization for self-help law.
Nolo Press- leading self-help law and software publisher.
National Federation of Paralegal Organizations- the major paralegal professional organization.
Unauthorized Practice of Law
ABA Commission on NonLawyer Practice - major field study on use of nonlawyers to deliver legal services.
NFPA Response to ABA Commission on NonLawyer Practice

[ Home | Table of Contents | Discussion  ]