By: John Greacen. Published by: Maryland Courts. Published on: November 4, 2004

Link to report

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This report reviewed self-help programs for self-represented litigants.

Highlights include:

“The Maryland judicial branch should take great pride in the progress it has made in implementing programs to assist self represented litigants in its Circuit Courts. In all five Maryland jurisdictions studied there are vital and effective programs addressing the needs of persons pursuing their family law cases without legal representation. These programs share a number of important characteristics:

• They are very highly rated and valued by the litigants who use them. These high ratings are given at the time services are provided and after the litigants have a court appearance in their case.
• The programs have qualified and experienced staff. We observed all of the staff in the five courts assessed interacting with litigants and had very few criticisms of the services and information provided.
• The programs are improving the performance of self represented litigants and easing the burden of these cases on judges, masters, lawyers and court staff.
• The programs are remarkably varied in structure and in the services provided.” (p. 3-4)

Categories: Courts, Self-Help, Legal Aid Practitioners, Policymakers and Funders, Researchers and Academics, Technology, State-Specific, Self-Represented Litigants