New figures show that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who go to Court without the benefit of legal representation. Voluntary organisation the Personal Support Unit (PSU) reports that they are seeing the numbers of litigants in person increasing significantly. It’s argued that this is a direct result in the lack of Legal Aid and a sign of the general dire state of the economy.
Webster O’Brien Solicitors have always taken the view that litigation is a significant economic risk, even with the best of cases and that it should only be entered into as a last resort. We are supporters of all forms of alternative dispute resolution but sometimes litigation cannot be avoided. In such cases we believe everyone has a right to the best legal advice available and it is to be deplored that so many people are now forced to represent themselves where they are undoubtedly at a considerable disadvantage to those who do have legal representation.
Litigant in person numbers have grown significantly in the last year figures revealed in the Law Society Gazette show (13 October 2011 edition).
