Given that fact, there will probably need to be adjustments in the legal process to fit the needs of citizens who are choosing not to use lawyers. Meanwhile, there are proven strategies the lawyer can employ to countermand abuses of the legal process by self-represented individuals. Sales, Bruce D., Self Representation in Dissolution Cases , unpublished manuscript delivered to ABA Special Committee on Delivery of Legal Services on September 27, 1991. 5.Self-represented litigants come from all walks of life and income levels. Younger persons were more likely to self-represent.
Education is also a variable.
Lower educated individuals were more likely to self-represent, particularly when correlated to income. Blue collar job holders were more likely to self-represent than upper management and professionals, but only when correlated to income. The characteristics of the case also make a difference. The fact that a person had prior legal training seemed to have no effect, but prior experience with self-representation did play a role. When the attorney became involved there was a greater number of requests for spousal maintenance.