Access to Justice Arrangements report found that the number of people self-representing in Australian Courts was increasing.
The Family Court of Australia, in the 2019-20 Annual Report, stated that 22 per cent of litigants were involved in matters where one or both parties did not have legal representation at some point of their proceedings, while 39 per cent of litigants were self-represented at trials.
Family Court of Australia. Annual Report 2019-20
Most people who self-represent in court can’t afford a lawyer and aren’t eligible for legal aid.
No Straight Lines indicates that 82 per cent of the self-representation cases include allegations of family violence in family law proceedings.