18.10.12
Lord Chief Justice voices concern over increase in litigants in person
Lord Judge has raised his concerns over the increasing number of litigants in person appearing in the courts. The number of litigants in person has risen significantly in the last year and is expected to increase further following the implementation of reforms to the costs and legal aid regimes in April 2013.
speaking at a press briefing Lord Judge said, "The judge has to help one of the litigants and that presents a great difficulty “ the person who is represented is thinking 'whose side is this judge on?' ... Where there are two self-represented litigants life becomes very difficult indeed. Judges dont know every part of the law and need help - having a list of cases like these undoubtedly slows the process."
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