Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pro se representation
Languages : en
Pages : 228
Book Description
When law reforms in 2013 in the United Kingdom took many civil and private law children and family cases out of scope for legal aid, it was anticipated that the volume and proportion of litigants in person would increase as a result. The Ministry of Justice commissioned this report to learn more about the experiences and support needs of litigants in person in private family law cases. Sections include: Characteristics of litigants in person; Reasons for self-representation; Competence and capacity; Particular challenges posed by litigants in person; Considering an application; Making an application; Waiting to go to court; All the world's a stage: the full representation default; Case and hearing length: a quantitative snapshot; A typology of 'working' and 'not working' hearings; Challenges to the efficiency and effectiveness of hearings; Challenges to fairness; Expectations and experiences; What LIPs want or need; Support-seeking strategies; What LIPs get: evaluation of available support; McKenzie Friends; Professional assessment of LIP needs and signposting to services; and recommendations for information, emotional support, practical support, and legal advice. Note, the study was conducted prior to the reforms.