By Judy Meadows, Montana State Law Librarian and Co-Chair, Montana Commission on Self-Represented Litigants

The Montana Supreme Court’s Commission on Self-Represented Litigants (the Commission)  and Montana Legal Services Association have spent years developing, reviewing, editing and approving legal forms that are easy to understand and compliant with state law. These forms are then posted

Continue reading Federal District Court Order Protects Montana’s Pro Se Litigants

By Judy Meadows, Montana State Law Librarian and Co-Chair, Montana Commission on Self-Represented Litigants

The Montana Commission on Self-Represented Litigants, created in 2000 by order of the Montana Supreme Court, has worked to create and approve easy to use forms for pro ses, as well as explanations of how to proceed in court. We

Continue reading Increasing Access to Justice Takes a Village and an Arsenal.

By Klaus Sitte, MLSA Litigation Director

Who would have thought that the American Bar Association would participate in and encourage programs designed to help pro se litigants?  After all, the ABA is a membership organization composed of lawyers, not pro se litigants, right?  Well, that's exactly what happened when the ABA Commission on Domestic

Continue reading Limited Scope Representation: Increasing Access for Pro Se Litigants

By Jillian Haynal, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow, MLSA Self-Help Law Unit

The story is familiar.  I hear it at least a few times every day.   The client is crying.  There is hurt, disappointment and panic in her voice.  Her tears are justified because her world is crumbling.  She’s just been served with

Continue reading MLSA’s Self-Help Law Unit: Empowering Clients to Advocate for Themselves