Lay litigants' access to legal information in libraries

Abstract

This study examines the availability and accessibility of legal information for lay litigants - those people who have chosen to represent themselves in legal proceedings. It looks specifically at the information held in libraries and whether these libraries and the information held in them can be accessed by lay litigants. Although this study looks at the ability of lay litigants to access legal information, it also discusses legal information access by the public in general. Distinctions have however been drawn between those seeking general legal information and lay litigants The overall purpose of this research is to establish the current levels of access to information that lay litigants have, and whether the current situation is adequate and tenable. Principles and policies such as that of equal access to the law and the New Zealand government's commitment towards open government; enabling online access and its e-policy have been taken into consideration in evaluating whether the current situation is sufficient. Distinctions have also been drawn between those seeking general legal information and lay litigants.