Representing Yourself (Pro Se Litigants)
This section is for people who do not have
a lawyer and are representing themselves in court. People
who represent themselves are also called pro se litigants.
Representing yourself can be complicated, but there are materials
available to help you with your case. This website page has
brochures, guides, handbooks, and forms that you can fill
out yourself and submit to clerks offices within the Courts.
Court staff will help you as much as they can, but they cannot
give you any legal advice. There are organizations, known
as legal services providers, that may be able to give you
legal advice, represent you in court, or help you learn how
to represent yourself.
To start, or "file," a case, you need to go to
the court division that processes that type of case. The Court
of Appeals and Superior Court division sections of this website
explain which divisions handle which types of cases and where
you should file your case. There is also an alternative dispute
resolution program, called the Multi-Door Division,
that can help you resolve problems without filing a case or can refer you to a legal service provider.
The Court of Appeals and divisions of the Superior
Court have information and materials to help you with your
case:
Help in the Courthouse for Unrepresented Litigants:
Information on Free Legal Service Providers and Law School Clinics
DC Bar's Guide How to Find and Work with a Lawyer
D.C. Code
Child Support Guideline Calculator
DC Bar Family Court Forms
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