Taking legal action can be stressful, expensive and time consuming. And courts are not usually the right place to sort out problems caused by a communication difficulty or a misunderstanding. Finding a solution that you can both live with, without going to court, can make it easier to have some kind of relationship in the future. This can be important if your dispute is with a neighbour or your landlord, a friend or family member, or your child’s school. ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution' (ADR) is the name for a range of options for resolving legal problems, often without going through the court

Step-by-step help if you are facing court or representing yourself

Representing yourself in court can be daunting. You might worry about what to say, how to act, and how to deal with the other side. But cuts and changes to legal aid mean that more people than ever cannot afford a lawyer, and have to represent themselves in court. We will tell you what you need to know and do to get the best result you can without a lawyer.