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Working with Self Represented Litigants

Working with Self Represented Litigants . Self Representation Service (QCAT). CLCNSW 2010 State Conference . QPILCH. Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House: Non-profit community legal service Partnership – law firms, barristers, QLS, law schools, CLCs Legal referral agency

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Working with Self Represented Litigants

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  1. Working with Self Represented Litigants

  2. Self Representation Service (QCAT) CLCNSW 2010 State Conference

  3. QPILCH • Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House: • Non-profit community legal service • Partnership – law firms, barristers, QLS, law schools, CLCs • Legal referral agency • Direct assistance services – HPLC, RCLC, SRS

  4. Self Representation Service (Courts) • Service in Brisbane District and Supreme Courts and Qld Court of Appeal established in late 2007. • Established to meet recognised need – a public interest issue • Continuing success of Service is clear

  5. Measurement of success at Courts • Assistance to clients • 213 District and Supreme Court matters • 17 Court of Appeal matters • Benefit to the Courts • “The decrease in civil self-represented litigants may be partly attributed to the QPILCH Self-Representation Service which became operational in December 2007. Cases involving self-represented litigants sometimes take longer to hear and determine because the standard of preparation and presentation can be poor and the litigants may be unable to articulate clearly the real points of the case.” President of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court 2007 – 2008 Annual Report.

  6. Self Representation Service (QCAT) • Similar service, slightly different impetus. • Large multi-jurisdictional tribunal conducts matters in a way that is “accessible, fair, just, economical, informal and quick”. • Estimated 35,000 people involved in proceedings each year. • Outcome of proceedings will often have serious consequences on the welfare, dignity and daily living of people involved.

  7. Who? Where? How? • Eligibility for assistance: • Means • Merit • Qld Courts Complex and QCAT • Office space • Interview room • Appointment based • Applications for assistance received and assessed • Appointments made and files created

  8. Scope of Service • Discrete task assistance to assist people to: • understand the law, their legal rights and the perspective of the other party and perspective and requirements of Courts/QCAT; • observe Court and QCAT rules and processes; • be aware of potential orders and the effect of not complying with orders; and • present their case in the best possible manner.

  9. Discrete Task Assistance • ‘Unbundling’ or discrete task assistance: • General counselling and legal advice; • Preparation/assistance with drafting documents; • Referrals to other agencies or services. Eg Legal Aid, specialist services. • More than ‘which forms to use’, or ‘what time to appear in court’. • Not rocket science!

  10. Questions?

  11. QPILCH contacts QPILCH www.qpilch.org.au Coordinator: Andrea de Smidt Email: srs.qcat1@qpilch.org.au Solicitor: Allira Thompson Email: srs.courtsadmin@qpilch.org.au Paralegal: Sam Boyle Email: qcatadmin@qpilch.org.au

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