| Self Representation Service (District and Supreme Courts) |
Formerly known as the Self Representation Civil Law Service (SRCLS).
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| What we can do |  |
QPILCH’s Self Representation Service (District and Supreme Courts) can:
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 | assist eligible Litigants in Person (LIPs) with the conduct of their case in the civil trial jurisdictions of the Supreme and District Courts (including applications) | |
refer ineligible LIPs to more appropriate avenues for assistance. |
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The Service solicitor will provide the following legal services to assist LIPs to put their case forward:
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| give legal advice | |
draft documents, including pleadings, affidavits, court forms, submissions and correspondence | |
conduct legal research | |
suggest other options for resolution of the case and assist with negotiations | |
assist with associated problems | |
refer appropriate cases for further advice, support or representation. |
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The Service solicitor will also assist LIPs to potentially overcome some of the problems associated with self-representation, including to:
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| understand the law, process and procedure, legal concepts, the rights and perspective of the other party, and the perspective and requirements of the court | |
observe court rules and proper process | |
reduce undue delay and prolonging proceedings | |
be aware of potential orders and the effect of not complying with orders | |
present their case in the best light and in the best possible way. |
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| Eligibility for assistance | |
The Service will assist LIPs (litigants without representation), and potential LIPs, irrespective of their means. However, the degree of assistance provided will be determined by the LIP’s means and priority will be given to those LIP’s who cannot afford private representation.
The following LIPs are eligible for assistance from the Service:
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| individuals | |
small corporations | |
community organisations | |
plaintiffs and defendants | |
applicants and respondents. |
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The following LIPs are not eligible for assistance from the Service:
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| persons declared vexatious litigants by the court | |
large corporations. |
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The Service reserves the right to not provide assistance to LIPs:
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| whose case lacks legal merit | |
who do not comply with the orders of the Court or the advice of the Service | |
who can afford representation | |
who raise a conflict of interest | |
who are eligible for legal aid | |
whose requests are so urgent, the Service cannot effectively assist them in time. |
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| Policies and procedures | |
Requests for assistance can come by direct referral, telephone or email. The request will initially be assessed by the Service paralegal who will:
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| ask you to complete the Client Intake Form (see below) or help you to complete it | |
assess your eligibility for assistance | |
explain how the Service can assist you | |
ask you to read and complete the Solicitor/Client Agreement (see below) or help you to complete it | |
ensure that the Service has all of the documents and information in order to assist you | |
make an appointment for you with a solicitor | |
refer you to the appropriate organisation or agency for assistance if you are not eligible for assistance from the Service. |
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The Service solicitor will:
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| examine your documentation prior to your appointment | |
take instructions from you and provide assistance to you in a 45 minute appointment | |
assess the legal merit of your case | |
determine the level of assistance to be provided to you by the Service | |
assist you to undertake the steps you need to take to continue with the proceedings | |
advise you at each stage of the proceedings to help you with the necessary step | |
provide you with ongoing assistance through correspondence and further appointments | |
refer cases with strong prospects of success to QPILCH member firms and barristers for some form of assistance. |
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| Volunteer lawyers | |
Solicitors from the following firms volunteer at the Self Representation Service (District and Supreme Courts):
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| Allens Arthur Robinson | |
Blake Dawson | |
Brian Bartley & Associates | |
Cooper Grace Ward | |
Corrs Chambers Westgarth | |
Clayton Utz | |
Deacons | |
DLA Phillips Fox | |
Mallesons Stephen Jaques | |
McCullough Roberton | |
Minter Ellison | |
MurphySchmidt |
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Many barristers also volunteer their time to provide advice and assistance for the service.
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| Contact us | |
Please contact the Self Representation Service (District and Supreme Courtd) for more information, to make an appointment, or to obtain or lodge the forms. You can contact the Service by:
Post: Coordinator, Self-Representation Service (Supreme and District Courts)
QPILCH
PO Box 3631
SOUTH BRISBANE BC QLD 4101
Phone: 07 3846 6317
Fax: 07 3211 2278
Email: selfrepsadmin@qpilch.org.au
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| Forms | |
Please print out the Client Intake Form and return the completed Form to the Service solicitor at the above address.
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Before completing the form, please read QPILCH’s privacy policy and the SRCLS Information Brochure.
Please view the Terms & Conditions, which you will be required to sign if you are eligible for assistance from the SRCLS.
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| Comments from a client of the service | |
We have received the following comments from a client of the service:
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"QPILCH solicitors have brought so much relief to my life...I learnt how to do my submission, index of exhibits, affidavit re the exhibits, request for subpoena, subpoena for production, as well I learnt how to present all my exhibits. Finally someone has explained to me what a hearing is and that it is not the 'big drama' I thought it would be...I think it is absolutely remarkable that with your solicitors' guidance I was able to achieve so much in such a short space of time. The solicitors would explain what I had to do and I went home and did it. After I went to the Registry and filed what I needed to I felt so 'elated', I felt terrific for the first time in 8 months...With QPILCH's help I've been given my 'opportunity' and I am so very pleased...I feel I now have a 'chance' of the judge seeing 'both sides' of the story and if her decision is in the applicant's favour, well I know I got a 'fair go'."
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A function to thank the firms and volunteers involved in the SRCLS was held at Parliament House on 13 September 2008.
We also obtained feedback from the volunteers, which has helped us to improve the service.
Notes from speeches on the evening are downloadable below.
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On 10 September 2008 the Attorney-General, the Honourable Kerry Shine MP, hosted a function to thank the firms, solicitors and barristers who have volunteered with the Self-Representation Civil Law Service since it commenced services in full swing in January 2008. Click on the link below to access a copy of his speech.
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