Expert Voices: Supporting litigants in person in private family law

Across England and Wales, it has become commonplace for people involved in family court cases to have no legal representation. But these “litigants in person” can find navigating the complex, slow-moving and sometimes unsympathetic legal system an ordeal. They often experience significant emotional strain and may find it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the legal resolution they are hoping for. Meanwhile, the court system itself is struggling to cope with the delays and disruption caused by often vulnerable people trying to take the place of trained lawyers.

CASS+, an advice and support service in Devon and Cornwall, is seeking to address this issue by providing free non-legal support to litigants in person. CASS+’s team of volunteers and paid co-ordinators offer help with filling out forms, drafting statements and even accompany people into hearings as an emotional and practical support.

This event will draw on the upcoming evaluation from the Centre for Justice Innovation and Wilkinson Evaluation of the work of CASS+ in the family courts to explore the barriers facing litigants in person, their impact on the individuals involved and the wider system, and how CASS+ has sought to support them. To discuss this, we are delighted to be joined by:

• Sophie Carter, Head of Family Justice Practice, Centre for Justice Innovation (chair)
• Stephen Whitehead, Head of Data and Evidence, Centre for Justice Innovation
• Jude Eyre, Associate Director for Strategy and Delivery, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory
• Steve Parker, CEO, CASS+
• Emma Stewart, Coordinator, CASS+