This report collates and analyzes data gathered from intake for the National Self-Represented Litigants Project from January 2018 to June 2019. Core demographics – gender, income, education, age etc – of the population of self-represented litigants were tracked, and the results were consistent with studies conducted in other countries.
Also consistent is the finding that many self-represented litigants begin their case represented by a lawyer, but become self-represented partway because of unaffordable legal costs. Researchers also noted a drop in access to pro bono and mediation services. The report also contains stories from self-represented litigants.