Addressing the Needs of Self-Represented Litigants in the Canadian Justice System

Authors

Trevor C. W. Farrow, Osgoode Hall Law School of York UniversityFollow
Diana Lowe, Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta
Bradley Albrecht, Alberta Justice and Attorney General
Heather Manweiller, Alberta Justice and Attorney General
Martha E. Simmons, Osgoode Hall Law School of York UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2012

Abstract

How can the Canadian justice system better assist self-represented litigants (SRLs) with their legal needs? There is a service gap that exists in the Canadian justice system between what SRLs need and what is currently being provided. The system needs to better address how SRLs understand, avoid, manage and resolve their legal issues. While the entire justice system has a role to play in understanding and addressing this question, courts and court administrators in particular have a central role to play. Some important efforts have begun to address the needs of SRLs. However, major challenges persist in providing adequate court services to SRLs.

Recommended Citation

Farrow, Trevor C. W.; Lowe, Diana; Albrecht, Bradley; Manweiller, Heather; and Simmons, Martha E., "Addressing the Needs of Self-Represented Litigants in the Canadian Justice System" (2012). Canadian Forum on Civil Justice. 67.
https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/cfcj/67