Document Type
Report
Publication Date
1-2024
Abstract
Our latest Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Intake Report was written by NSRLP Research Assistant Keerthi Chintapalli, with guidance and editing from Executive Director Jennifer Leitch, and Project Manager Dayna Cornwall.
This report collates and analyzes data from Intake Forms completed by SRLs between July 1, 2021, and September 30, 2023, with a total of 268 respondents.
As with previous intake reports published by the NSRLP, the data tracks the core demographics prevalent within the SRL population (gender, income, education, age, ethnicity, language, etc.). The results remain largely consistent with Julie Macfarlane’s original SRL Study (2013), with our previous Intake Reports (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021), and with the results of similar studies conducted in other countries.
Following our last Intake Report, we continue to analyze the experiences and preferences of SRLs when it comes to virtual legal services and court processes. For a more in-depth look at these issues, stay tuned for a soon-to-be-released report from our research study into SRL experiences with virtual hearings (made possible through a grant from the McLachlin Fund).
As always, we include direct quotes from SRLs sharing not only their experiences in the legal system, but also tips and best practices for others.
We sincerely thank the hundreds of self-represented litigants who contributed their time and energy to filling out our Intake Form – not only those whose information is included in this report, but those who have shared and continue to share their voices with us since 2011. All of our work rests on the experiences and information you so generously trust us with.