What “pro se” means
Individuals appearing without a lawyer are often called pro se or self-represented litigants. The relevant rights and restrictions vary by case type, jurisdiction, and the type of party involved.
Representing yourself does not give you the right to represent another person, business entity, or a class of people in situations where attorney representation is required.
Rules still apply
Court staff may explain where forms and rules are located, but they generally cannot strategize for you. Read the court's procedural rules, local rules, scheduling orders, and judge-specific practices.
Preserve proof of filing and service for each document.
Consider the stakes
Some matters are especially difficult to navigate without legal counsel, including criminal prosecution, child custody, immigration, urgent injunctions, and complex civil litigation.
A limited-scope consultation may be helpful even if you plan to handle much of a civil case yourself.
Use official forms first
For federal civil cases, begin with the U.S. Courts forms directory and your district court's website. State courts have separate official forms and local practices.
Sources & further reading
Use these materials to begin independent verification. Links lead to external websites.