Patterson
The Orleans Parish Civil District Court announced the formation of a Self Help Resource Center (SHRC) to help the increasing number of pro se litigants that have filed suits recently.
According to a press release issued by the court, the SHRC is "a legal information and self-help desk designed to serve as a starting point for people who must navigate an unfamiliar and complex court system to resolve legal problems on their own."
The SHRC came about thanks to the efforts of Judge Tiffany Chase, Clerk of Court Dale Atkins, the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) and will be primarily run by volunteers form the Tulane and Loyola law schools.
Designed to help pro se litigants with any matter pertaining to the Civil Court, the SHRC is modeled after similar help desks in other courts, the press release stated.
LSBA President Michael A. Patterson is quoted as saying that the "most common" litigants will be dealing with domestic issues.
"The number of self-represented litigants in Louisiana creates significant challenges for courts in administering justice and for litigants in their access to justice," he said.
The SHRC will provide "walk-in litigants" with "basic legal information, online resources, referrals to additional services, brochures, court forms and documents, and courthouse information."
The SHRC will be open on the fourth floor of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court building on Monday and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.