User-friendly: Chief Justice Andrew Li officiates at the opening ceremony of the Resource Centre for Unrepresented Litigants.

People who choose to represent themselves in civil court cases will have access to a new centre starting on December 22. The Judiciary has set up the Resource Centre for Unrepresented Litigants to meet the challenges brought by the increasing number of unrepresented litigants in recent years.

The rising number of people who represent themselves has been creating a great demand on judicial time and resources, the Hon Chief Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li said.

Speaking to members of the media this afternoon, the Chief Justice said the Resource Centre will offer assistance to unrepresented litigants in civil cases of the High Court and the District Court by helping them to better understand court rules and procedures.

It will open on December 22.

"The setting up of the Resource Centre is not to encourage people to litigate in person, nor to duplicate or compete with existing services," the Chief Justice stressed.

"The Resource Centre will not provide legal advice to users as it is of prime importance for the Judiciary to maintain fairness, neutrality and impartiality in adjudicating disputes."

Steering Committee recommended centre

The Chief Justice had appointed a steering committee to advise on the establishment and operation of the Resource Centre in 2002. Chaired by the Hon Madam Justice Chu, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, the committee also includes judges and representatives from the legal profession and interested non-governmental organisations.

The committee made recommendations in its report which the Chief Justice accepted.  The report is now available for public access on the Judiciary website.

Resource facilities include computers, videos, forms

After the Resource Centre opens, staff there will provide general enquiry services on court rules, forms, services and procedural matters in civil proceedings in the High Court and the District Court. Pamphlets outlining court procedures are also freely available, as are videos that explain them that can ve viewed at the centre.

Samples of court forms are available for reference in the Resource Centre and some of the forms can also be obtained there.

The centre also has four computers for unrepresented litigants to access information on court procedures, services and facilities. It also provides a pay-as-you-go self-operated photocopier.