January 28, 2019
Dear Justice Corner:
I keep seeing more and more litigants in my courtroom without a lawyer. Where can I get information about dealing with self-represented litigants (SRLs) in my courtroom?
-Judge Wheretoturn
Dear Judge Wheretoturn:
You've come to the right place! The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice's Court Guidance and Training Committee will be fielding questions and sharing tips on self-represented litigant issues in this Justice Corner column of this newsletter.
Additionally, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Court's Access to Justice Division recently updated a resource full of access to justice information called the Access to Justice Spiral: A Compilation of Policies, Rules, Tips & Best Practices. It includes sections on Language Access, Statewide Standardized Forms, Self-Represented Litigants, Patrons with Disabilities, and Civil Appeals. The SRL section is broken down by SRL issues in the courtroom, non-judicial staff, referrals, fee waivers, and e-filing. The compiled materials can be found at: http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/CivilJustice/Training_Education/training_education.asp. Feel free to reach out to us at the email address below for additional information, to request copies of the Spiral or any of its materials, or to schedule training for your staff.
Please email your questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, or stories about self-represented litigants to justicecorner@illinoiscourts.gov
-Justice Corner, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice's Court Guidance and Training Committee
- Chair, Judge Jo Beth Weber, Jefferson County
- Presiding Judge Clarence M. Darrow, Rock Island County
- Presiding Judge Sharon M. Sullivan, Cook County
- Associate Judge Elizabeth M. Rochford, Lake County
- David Holtermann, Lawyers' Trust Fund, Chicago
- Joseph Dailing, Legal Aid Consultant, Rockford