No special treatment for litigants in person

The courts have recently reminded a litigant in person that there is no special treatment when unrepresented. Handing him an interim costs order to pay 60% of the claimant’s costs upfront, totalling £100,000. 

 

Judge Paul Matthews stated that “There are not two sets of rules for litigation in this jurisdiction, one for represented litigant and one for unrepresented” 

 

This outcome was a direct result of the conduct of the litigant in person, being ‘well out of the norm for a court case’. 

 

This topic may be one of controversy due to its nature with some professionals applauding the decision and some questioning it.