What is the Judicial Role in Promoting Access to Justice? A judicial education program on self-represented litigation can assist judges in better handling such cases. It helps judges understand the complex needs of the self-represented in the courtroom, offers ways of thinking about the relationship between judicial neutrality and forms of non-prejudicial engagement, and offers specific suggestions and “scripts” for dealing with the situations that occur in such cases. The ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct provides that such engagement does not violate the mandate of judicial neutrality.
For additional information see the following resources:
Zorza, Richard. Turner v. Rogers: Improving Due Process for the Self-Represented. National Center for State Courts, Future Trends in State Courts (2012).
Richard Zorza. New Curriculum Helps Improve Access for the Self-Represented. (2008). National Center for State Courts, Future Trends in State Courts 2008.
Gray, Cynthia. REACHING OUT OR OVERREACHING Judicial Ethics and Self-Represented Litigants. American Judicature Society (2005).
Goldschmidt, Jona. Meeting the Challenge of Pro Se Litigation: A Report and Guidebook for Judges and Court Managers. American Judicature Society and the State Justice Institute. (1998).