Going to court

Summary

Understand how going to court works and what to expect when the other people or organisations involved in the case do have a lawyer. This advice guide explains how to prepare for court without a lawyer, the skills you need to get you through the process, and gives you practical tips on how to make your case as well as you can. Getting free one-to-one advice about your case is hard. All advice services are extremely busy. We are here to help everyone who cannot get in at an advice service and cannot afford to pay for legal help. We give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need to deal with the issue yourself, or with the help of friends or family. If you need more help than you can get from our advice guides, we explain how to try to find advice.

Key information

• •Information hub Other ways to solve a dispute Sometimes it will be quicker and cheaper for you to sort out the issue using mediation, an ombudsman, or another form of alternative dispute resolution.  Information hub Small claims and the civil court Step-by-step help to use the small claims or fast-track process to deal with unpaid debts, broken contracts, and personal injury.  Information hub Family court Step-by-step help to manage a case in the family court.  Information hub Benefits tribunals What to expect if you are going to a tribunal about your benefits.  Information hub Employment tribunals Work out if you can or should take your case to the employment tribunal, and step-by-step help to do it well.  Information hub Representing myself in court Help with the knowledge, confidence and skills you need to put your case well  Information Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN) What to do if you have received a SJPN for a minor crime like TV licence evasion, fare dodging or a motoring offence.  Help How to prepare for seeing a solicitor or advisor Check out our tips for what to say, what to take, and what to expect so that you make the most out of your appointment.  Information How to print from your phone When you need to go to court or tribunal, you may have evidence on your phone that you need to print out. Learn how to do that. 
• •Understand how going to court works and what to expect when the other people or organisations involved in the case do have a lawyer. This advice guide explains how to prepare for court without a lawyer, the skills you need to get you through the process, and gives you practical tips on how to make your case as well as you can.
• •Getting free one-to-one advice about your case is hard. All advice services are extremely busy. We are here to help everyone who cannot get in at an advice service and cannot afford to pay for legal help.
• •We give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need to deal with the issue yourself, or with the help of friends or family. If you need more help than you can get from our advice guides, we explain how to try to find advice.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Going to court](https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/going-court)

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