Be flexible when dealing with litigants in person
An excellent article in the Solicitors Journal, www.solicitorsjournal.com is well worth a read.
Litigants in person (LIP’) entitled to expect help from their professional opponents.
Guidance was published earlier this summer by the Law Society, in conjunction with the Bar Council and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), to help solicitors and other professionals deal with LIP’s. There follows a summary of that guidance, that and LIP can quote to his or her solicitor or professional opponent, and complained of the judge if they do not comply with it.
- Adopt a professional, co-operative, and courteous approach;
- Take extra care to communicate clearly, without legal mumbo-jumbo so far as possible;
- Realise that communications from LIPs may be emotive, repetitive, or hostile.
- Do not take unfair advantage of facing an LIP
- Notify the court ahead of a hearing that an LIP will be attending (even though result in extra work for the represented party to assist the LIP);
- Take into account article 6 of the Human Rights Act and ensure that you comply with this regarding the LIP
- Prepare on the basis that leeway may be granted by the court to LIP’s
If you are a litigant in person and need help look at the HPLC website www.hyltonpotts.com.
Hylton- Potts can help with problems like this. We operate from London offices but help clients all over the country at highly competitive fixed fees.
There is an office hours free confidential hotline 020 7381 8111 and a 24-hour free confidential email legal help service [email protected]
We would be interested in your comments, please leave them by clicking on the title to this blog above.
I live in the West Midlands and it would be difficult for me to get to London but I could do with some help please.
Even though you are not in London, we help people around the country. We use all the modern technology available to assist, so often clients will Skype with us, email, FaceTime etc. Why not email us at [email protected] or telephone 020 7831 8111 and we can discuss it further. Rodney.
Thanks for posting this. I’m a LIP and need all the help I can get
Thanks Mark. We help litigants in person, so please feel free to telephone us at 0207 381 8111 or email us at law@hylton-potts. com
I was a litigant in person in a court case in London and I found the opposite was true. My opponent’s counsel was snooty and rude to me, and treated me like dirt. I wish I had taken proper legal advice, instead of trying to do it myself.
Dear Marianna,
I am sorry that you had such a rough time. Should you want to appeal, or talk your case through with us, please feel free to telephone us at 0207 381 8111 or email us at [email protected].