For the past 3 years, we have been following the doctoral research of Bridgette Toy-Cronin at the University of Otago, New Zealand as she undertook empirical research on the SRL phenomenon in New Zealand. Bridgette’s methodology was in many aspects (for example directly interviewing SRLs and court services staff) similar to our own National SRL Study.
Bridgette summarizes her results this way:
“My research investigated why more and more people go to court without a lawyer in New Zealand, their experience of litigating without a lawyer, and how the lawyers, judges and court staff perceive them and respond to them. Drawing on interviews with litigants, judges, lawyers and court staff, as well as in-court observations and review of court documents, the research analyzed the experiences and perspectives of the participants through the different stages of litigation. It concluded with various policy reforms and encouraged a re-evaluation of the stereotypical view that people who go to court without a lawyer have a “fool for a client”.
A summary of Bridgette’s findings can be read here.
