Keir Starmer, a human rights barrister of Doughty Street Chambers, continues to provide free help and advice to both Mr Morris and Ms Steel. Mr Starmer gave the few hours of Green Form advice at the start of their case. After that no further legal aid is available in libel actions. Both defendants have had to get used to performing quickly a variety of legal tasks, from photocopying to cross-examination. In response to the growing numbers of DIY litigants, the National Council for Civil Liberties is publishing a guide to defending oneself in court.
Some people clearly feel there are advantages to dispensing with lawyers in court.
Michael Randle managed to convince the jury that he should be acquitted of both helping a prisoner to escape and harbouring a prisoner, despite admissions made in a later book about the affair.