Litigant in Person
A party to court proceedings who represents themselves without a lawyer. Also known as a 'self-represented litigant'. The court has a duty to ensure fair treatment and may make reasonable adjustments.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
The judiciary's own guidance defines a litigant in person as 'an individual, company or organisation who has to go to court without legal representation from a solicitor or barrister' — the definition is not limited to individuals; a company or organisation without a lawyer counts too.
Litigants in person are not necessarily left entirely without support: they may be able to obtain legal help without charge from an advice centre, a Citizens Advice Bureau, a law centre, or a pro bono legal organisation, and the judiciary's guidance for litigants in person specifically flags this as 'often worth exploring'.
Related terms
Official sources
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