Washington, DC - A new HALT study, "Access to Justice: Self-Represented Divorce Litigants in California," analyzes how the state's family court responds to the needs of its pro se litigants and identifies key lessons that other states should learn from the California experience.

"Courts have a responsibility to serve the people who use them, and our study provides a simple road map for how they can help the ever increasing number of pro se litigants," commented HALT Executive Director James C. Turner. "Every state court system can learn from California's example and take the necessary steps to make family court a more accessible and user-friendly place for the self-represented."

HALT selected California because it is leading the way in serving self-represented individuals. Each of the state's 58 counties is required to provide a Family Law Facilitator who is available to assist self-represented litigants in family law cases. The California court system also maintains an online self-help center that acts as a clearinghouse for family law resources.

In addition to services California already provides, the report recommends that all courts:

• include a broad range of services, including one-on-one help, workshops, printed and online material and referrals;
• provide children's waiting areas or childcare services;
• present regular training and educational opportunities for program staff and attorneys;
• supply multi-lingual staff and materials;
• oversee self-help programs with a licensed attorney;
• locate self-help centers at or very near the courthouse;
• increase the public's awareness of self-help centers;
• establish procedures for handling litigants' complaints.

Over the past twenty years, the number of self-represented litigants in California has tripled, and other states have seen similar increases. Courts must adapt to serve the changing population accessing their services.

Founded in 1978, HALT - An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest organization. HALT pursues an aggressive education and advocacy program that challenges the legal establishment to improve access and accountability and reduce costs in the civil justice system. Please visit www.halt.org for more information.