This is one of several papers commissioned by CAP’s Doing What Works project to explore the persistent gap between the legal needs of low-income people and capacity of the civil legal assistance system to meet those needs.
Self-Represented Litigants
Connecting Self-Representation to Civil Gideon: What Existing Data Reveal About When Counsel is Most Needed
This reviews existing reports reveals a correlation between representation and success rates in court. It finds that this is especially true when the litigant faces a power imbalance and when the litigant’s advocate is skilled and has relevant knowledge.
The Hotline Outcomes Assessment Study, Phase III (2002)
The study generated representative samples of callers at five legal services hotlines in AR, CA, IL, MI and WA, conducted phone interviews with 2,034 callers three to six months later and involved experienced lawyers in the evaluation. This is a follow-on to an earlier study.
Recent Studies Compare Full Representation to Limited Assistance in Eviction Cases
In this article, John Pollock discusses three recent studies comparing full representation to limited assistance in the eviction context, and cautions there is still much to learn.
Hotline Outcomes Assessment Study – Phase I (1999)
Phase I of the Hotline Outcomes Assessment Study involved detailed qualitative interviews with managers and directors of 44 legal hotlines and an analysis of caseload patterns for 16 programs that appear to have relatively stable pre- and post-hotline environments.
The National Self-Represented Litigants Project: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Self-Represented Litigants, Final Report
This reports on self-represented litigants (SRL’s) in family and civil court in three Canadian provinces from 2011-2013 . It aims to dispel myths about SRLs including the perception that they choose to self represent because they believe themselves as capable as lawyers. It contains extensive recommendations.
Report on the Programs to Assist Self Represented Litigants of the State of Maryland
This report analyzes five programs that assist pro se litigants in Maryland. It finds that the programs are cost effective and efficient at serving self-represented litigants.
Georgia Senior Legal Hotline Outcomes Study
A total of 174 telephone surveys revealed that the Hotline’s self-help materials and advice can be used by seniors to achieve favorable outcomes in certain types of cases.
Report of the Summit on the Use of Technology to Expand Access to Justice
The 51 attendees at the technology summit issued developed a strategy to implement the the use of technology to help with: document assembly for self-represented litigants; better “triage”—that is, identification of the most appropriate form of service for clients in light of the totality of their circumstances; mobile technologies; remote service delivery; expert systems and checklists; and unbundled services.
Clearing a Path to Justice: A Report of the Maryland Judiciary Work Group on Self-Representation in the Maryland Courts
This report outlines the work group’s efforts and study on self-represented litigants in Maryland. It provides an overview of the current efforts, initiatives, and recommendations on how to aid self-represented litigants, enhance the response of court staff, enhance the judicial response, support improvements in the legal services delivery system, and create an access to justice commission.
Legal Aid Research 