Representing yourself in court or tribunal

This information applies to England and Wales.  

People who go to court without a barrister or solicitor are called 'litigants in person'

Disability discrimination hearings take place at:

• employment tribunals for discrimination at work (GOV.UK)
• County Court for discrimination in public and private services (Citizens Advice)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability tribunals (GOV.UK)

Your rights

By law, you can claim disability discrimination only if you are considered 'disabled' under the Equality Act.

Definition of disability under the Equality Act (GOV.UK)

Discrimination can be:

• direct, when you are treated less fairly because of your condition
• indirect, when a policy, rule or decision applies to everyone but is less fair to certain people
• harassment, aggressive pressure or intimidation that may place you at a disadvantage
• victimisation, singling you out for cruel or unjust treatment
• by association, when you are discriminated against for associating with someone considered disabled

Disability discrimination and the law

When you can ask for reasonable adjustments

Being a litigant in person

A litigant in person is someone who plans and presents their own legal case instead of a solicitor or barrister.

Changes to the legal aid system mean that some disabled people find it harder to get legal support. 

Check if you can get legal aid (GOV.UK)

But get some legal advice if you can.

Finding free or affordable legal help (Citizens Advice)

Going to court without a solicitor or barrister (Citizens Advice)

Planning your case

Any point you wish to make in court must have evidence to support it. You must bring this evidence with you. You will need to:

• gather your documents together, such as medical reports, emails and other correspondence
• get your own witness statements
• follow the steps in formal procedures

This will take time and effort.

You will need to go to the tribunal or court to present your case.

County Court

County Court is for civil (non-criminal) matters. Staff should help you with court procedures but they might not have time to support you as much as you would like.

If you do not follow court procedures, you could lose even if your case is strong. If you lose, you will probably have to pay the legal costs of the other side.

Employment tribunals

Employment tribunals do not have fees. If you lose an employment tribunal claim, there's a small chance you may have to pay your employer's costs of going to court. 

Check what it might cost to make an employment tribunal claim (Citizens Advice)

Tribunals provide more support to litigants in person than in County Court. The tribunal staff cannot give you legal advice. But they can support you with what you need to do and how you should do it.

First Tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

There are no fees for parents or young people to pay when they go to a SEND Tribunal, whatever the result.

The tribunal staff cannot give you legal advice. But they can support you with what you need to do and how you should do it.

It's still a good idea to get help preparing your case though. You can apply for legal help through the legal aid system. This type of support covers preparing a case, but not having a representative with you in the tribunal. Most parents do not have a legal representative at their appeals.

The clerk at the tribunal should tell you what you need to do and when you need to do it.

Appealing to the SEND Tribunal (IPSEA)

Getting help making a SEND appeal (IPSEA)

Alternatives to court

Court is only an option once you have gone through other procedures, such as:

• making a formal written complaint
• raising a grievance at work 
• consulting the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)

These are cheaper and can be more effective than going to court or tribunal.

Alternatives to court action (Advice Now)

Before you can file for a tribunal case, you must do the following.

• Follow the local complaints procedure. This usually involves a formal grievance at some stage.
• File for conciliation and/or arbitration with ACAS. If this fails, you will get a certificate that will allow you to proceed to a tribunal or court if you wish.

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)

Getting some legal help

Get some help planning when you’re a litigant in person if you can. Some solicitors may offer free advice.

Check if your household insurance has legal cover. You may be able to call for free advice and possibly free representation.

No win, no fee solicitors may be a good option. But if you lose in County Court, you could still have to pay the other side's costs.

Finding free or affordable legal help (Citizens Advice)