Self-Represented Litigants in Moncton
Self-represented litigants are becoming more and more popular in Moncton. This is due to a variety of reasons, many being the intimidating costs that surround hiring a lawyer. This post will help you decide if self-representation is the way you want to go and will include resources to follow for more information. Here are some things to consider before diving into the world of legal self-representation:
Making Sure You Have the Time
Representing yourself in court is a time-heavy commitment. You will need to learn the rules of court, gather documents, summon witnesses, and keep extensively organized files. There is a lot of paperwork involved with going to court. You need to ask yourself if you are ready to make this commitment. It may interfere with your personal and professional life. There will be phone calls to make, documents to scan, forms to fill out, etc. Check in with yourself to see if this is something really worth the hassle. A lawyer’s hourly rate may seem expensive, but they come with a heavy education, years of experience, and legal administrative assistants that keep files in order.
Ensuring Access to Good Resources
Deciding to go solo to court is a big decision. Before committing, check out Legal Aid NB to see if you qualify for legal assistance through the province. If not, the Canadian Bar Association, PLEIS-NB, and Legal Central Alberta have excellent Canadian resources for the self-represented litigant. If you are in New Brunswick, it is also worthwhile to go to your nearest Department of Justice to talk with the Court Services staff. They will be able to talk you through administrative processes and give you information pamphlets that are helpful.
Finding Your Network
As with everything, support is very important as you venture into self representation. By following up on the resources above, you are sure to connect with people who will be helpful on your journey. If you are participating in discovery, it will also be crucial that you hire your own court reporter to record audio and produce certified transcripts for court. In addition to helping with these administrative tasks, court reporters know a lot of lawyers and have the benefit of having seen and/or heard them in court.
Conclusions
Deciding to self-represent is a big step. Make sure that you assess whether you are able to commit to it both personally and financially. Weigh the pros and cons and be confident in your decision. There are many resources out there in New Brunswick to help you on your path to success. And be sure to not overlook your friendly neighbourhood court reporter – they can help with administration and connecting you with the best in the field. If you’d like to learn more about how Eunota Court Reporting can help you in your journey of self-representation, contact us today.