Document Type
Report
Publication Date
1-2020
Abstract
From 2011-2013, Dr. Julie Macfarlane studied experiences of self-representation in Canada in three provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. She conducted detailed personal interviews and/or focus group interviews with 259 self-represented litigants (SRLs). After the publication of Dr. Macfarlane’s initial report in 2013, SRLs continued to contact the National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP). This led the research team to develop an “Intake Form” using SurveyMonkey, in order to continue to collect information from SRLs across Canada. While the data collected from the replies to the Intake Form is less detailed than the original study interviews, the questionnaire tracks SRL demographics using some of the same variables, such as income, education level, and party status. It also asks questions about the SRL’s experience with prior legal services, mediation services, and bringing a support person to court. The Intake Form also provides a window into SRL personal experiences through a final “open format” question. The NSRLP is committed to continued reporting on the data we collect in this way from SRLs. This new Intake Report presents data from 173 respondents, collected between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.