Litigants in person

Dr Alex Newbury is conducting research into the impact of legal funding cuts on the increase in number of individual court users representing themselves (litigants in person), and consequently, upon the court process and on court staff. Working with Dr Sarah Moore from the University of Bath, Newbury will be using a combination of primary and secondary research to capture experiences and views about this under-researched area.

Project timeframe

This research project began in 2015 and is ongoing.

Project objectives

The objectives of this research project are to:

  • identify any issues litigants in person face in court, relating to understanding evidential requirements, identifying legally relevant facts, dealing with forms and the oral and procedural demands of the courtroom
  • determine from other court participants whether dealing with litigants in person leads to any complications or ethical challenges
  • consider the impact of litigants in person on case duration and outcomes
  • investigate the impact of various methods of assistance for litigants in person on case outcomes.

Project findings and impact

The research project is ongoing; output, findings and impact will be updated in due course.

Research team

Dr Alex Newbury

Output

Partners

Dr Sarah Moore, University of Bath