Justice system rules and practices unfairly place self-represented litigants at tremendous disadvantage
The deck is already stacked against self-represented litigants. Prohibiting the use of an assistant in court further ensures that self-represented litigants will lose.
by Donald Best, former Sergeant, Detective, Toronto Police
Self-represented litigants often face a phalanx of lawyers in court; with each lawyer having their own junior to take notes and assist with exhibits and case management during the hearing.
In contrast to the latitude and even deference extended to their fellow legal professionals, most judges prohibit self-represented litigants from having an assistant or non-lawyer advisor in court. This systemic favouritism places self-represented litigants at serious disadvantage even when arguing relatively simple cases, but is devastating in more complex cases where there might be dozens or even hundreds of documents and other exhibits in play.
In my company’s civil case (Nelson Barbados Group Ltd. vs Cox et al), the defending lawyers filed tens of thousands of pages of documents as exhibits. As a self-represented litigant during my Contempt of Court hearing, I had to appear before the court alone and attempt to make my own notes as I simultaneously hunted through boxes for reply documents and exhibits.
The opposing lawyers, Gerald Ranking and Lorne Silver, made team notes and took turns handling the exhibits as the other addressed the court. Occasionally there would also be junior lawyers taking notes. The lawyers refused me permission to make recordings, so I was left waiting sometimes weeks for transcripts before I had accurate notes of what had transpired in court or at examinations.
This type of systemic bias by the justice system and courts against self-represented persons is simply unacceptable in an age where so many citizens cannot afford legal representation. Access to Justice is a human rights issue. It’s time that the legal profession acknowledged the systemic bias against self-represented persons.
Dr. Julie Macfarlane of the National Self-Represented Litigants Project just posted an excellent article about self-represented litigants being forced to appear alone in court. Well worth your time:
The Loneliness of the Self-Represented Litigant
When her case was called, Maria (not her real name) walked towards the front table in the courtroom and, anxiously shifting her papers, asked the judge if she could have her sister sit with her during the hearing. She explained that she could not take notes and listen to what was being said at the same time, and her sister could help her by taking notes for her. Maria said that she had become so overwhelmed the last time she appeared in court that she had started to cry, and felt humiliated getting so upset in public, in front of the people watching in the courtroom. If her sister could sit beside her, it would help her to stay calm and centred.
The judge said no. You have to make your own case, or go and get a lawyer.
But my sister would not speak, she would just take notes, Maria tried to explain.
The judge told her to stop talking and sit down.
Continue reading The Loneliness of the Self-Represented Litigant
In the case of Marie who they refused to allow her sister in to help takes notes I would say when a lawyer stops bringing in their juniors to help then you can tell me I cant have my sister. Try and twist that one and that would be quite fun.
Yes very nice story about how SRL are abused in court by Judges who are ignoring your constitutional right to defend yourself and that does not mean your forced to pay a lawyer to uphold your rights. My suggestion to anyone representing themselves tell the judge that your sister is going to sit in and help with notes do not ask the judges permission as it is your constitutional right to have your sister sit with you to take notes. If lawyers can have juniors you can have a note taker of whoever you choose.
To all self represented litigants go into court with your head held high show your not intimidated do your homework in advance and hit the court with a vengeance. Thats is your constitutional right to do so. A judge challenges my constitutional rights and there will be hell to pay.
Great piece and thank you for the link