State courts are seeing similar increases. Self-represented litigants often turn to court staff and judges to ask about procedures, what forms they need to fill out, and how they should proceed. In many cases, staff and judges do not know to what extent, or even if, they can respond. A new book from the American Judicature Society provides some guidance. Also included is a summary of the legal and ethical issues that daily confront judges and court staff, results of surveys of judges and court managers regarding self-represented litigants, and 14 policy recommendations for courts, judges, lawyers, and legislatures to provide pro se litigants greater access to the justice system.
Appendices provide relevant constitutional and statutory provisions and an annotated bibliography.
Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60601.