Going to court without a solicitor or barrister

Summary

The court will tell you what kind of hearing you’ll have. Check how to prepare for a hearing by phone or video call. Be realistic about whether you can get what you want if you take a case to court. If your dispute is about a misunderstanding or communication breakdown, court is usually not the best place to sort it out. It's usually better to try other options first. Taking a case to court can be stressful. It can take a lot of time and money - for example, if you lose and you have to pay the other side's costs. You can find out about alternatives to court action on Advice Now's website. If you decide to go to court to claim money you're owed, it's known as a 'small claim'. You can find out more about making a small claim. You can also find a guide to making a small claim on GOV.UK. If you have to represent yourself in court, you'll be known as a 'litigant in person'. You might get advice about what legal points to raise in court - find out if you can get free or affordable legal advice. If you want practical help during your court case, you can contact Support Through Court. A Support Through Court volunteer can explain how the court works, listen to you and help with paperwork.

Key information

• •a Support Through Court volunteer
• •The court will tell you what kind of hearing you’ll have. Check how to prepare for a hearing by phone or video call.
• •Be realistic about whether you can get what you want if you take a case to court. If your dispute is about a misunderstanding or communication breakdown, court is usually not the best place to sort it out. It's usually better to try other options first.
• •Taking a case to court can be stressful. It can take a lot of time and money - for example, if you lose and you have to pay the other side's costs.
• •You can find out about alternatives to court action on Advice Now's website.
• •If you decide to go to court to claim money you're owed, it's known as a 'small claim'. You can find out more about making a small claim.
• •You can also find a guide to making a small claim on GOV.UK.
• •If you have to represent yourself in court, you'll be known as a 'litigant in person'. You might get advice about what legal points to raise in court - find out if you can get free or affordable legal advice.
• •If you want practical help during your court case, you can contact Support Through Court. A Support Through Court volunteer can explain how the court works, listen to you and help with paperwork. They can't give you legal advice.
• •You can find out how to get practical help from Support Through Court.
• •You can use Advice Now's guides to going to court or a tribunal without a lawyer.
• •You can take someone with you when the court deals with your case (this is known as the hearing). For example, you can take:

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Going to court without a solicitor or barrister](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/going-to-court-without-a-solicitor-or-barrister/)

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