This guide is for you if you:
· are involved ina a civil claim in either England or Wales, and
· your case involves a claim for £25,000 or less, and
· you are representing yourself (you are a litigant in person) and not eligible to have your case paid for by legal aid, a trade union, or insurance.
This guide is also for people supporting litigants in person, for example Support Through Court volunteers, Citizens' Advice volunteers, housing support workers, advice workers and court staff, as well as relatives and friends.
This guide is not for you if you are involved in:
· a criminal case,
· a family case (such as an application for a domestic violence injunction or a divorce),
· a housing disrepair or housing possession case including mortgage possession,
· an injunction (including court claims about anti-social behaviour)
· a medical accident case,
· a case involving defamation (that is libel or slander) or
· a tribunal case (such as a discrimination or employment case).
Legal language
We try to explain any legal language as we go along, but there is also a ‘What does it mean?’ section at the end.
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March 2021