Litigant in Person

A litigant in person is someone who is unrepresented or self-represented in court, meaning they do not have a barrister or solicitor to represent them, but who still has the right to an audience (i.e. the right to address the court and appear in person). Litigants in person can also be organisations or companies. It is possible for a litigant in person to win their case in court against opponents with the best representation – English and Welsh litigants can access free legal advice and some may be eligible for representation by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Where a litigant in person instructs a barrister rather than a solicitor, such as through a public access scheme, they are still classed as a litigant in person. The term “litigant in person” is also used in Irish and Northern Irish law and legal systems, while the equivalent term used in Scottish law is “party litigant”.