Is self-representation in court a good idea?

In New Zealand, you have a right to go to court and represent yourself; self-representation procures access to the courts. But, whether it provides access to justice is another question. This is because accessing the courts is not the same as having the ability to get the necessary resources or advice to effectively navigate the legal system.¹

The cost of legal services is the most common reason for self-representation.² While the Legal Services Amendment Act 2007 allows a portion of New Zealanders to obtain legal aid by increasing the financial threshold and simplifying the criteria, it also requires a higher portion of recipients to pay back a grant. Other reasons for self-representation include: