“Educate; Navigate; Resource”

A new Litigation Support Services initiative is responding to what advocates describe as a deepening “justice canyon” in New Zealand’s courts, where thousands of self-represented litigants are forced to navigate complex legal processes without adequate support.

The New Zealand Law Association confirms that approximately 72% of all civil cases currently before the courts—over 7,000 of 10,000 matters—now involve self-represented litigants.

In the civil jurisdiction overall, self-represented litigants make up 71% of cases on file with court registries nationwide.

In contrast, only 3% of criminal cases involve self-representation, largely due to the Public Defence Service providing legal aid to defendants.

This stark imbalance highlights a widening access-to-justice gap affecting ordinary New Zealanders who are too “wealthy” to qualify for legal aid, yet not “wealthy” enough to afford competent legal counsel.

Affordable Support for Self-Represented Litigants:

Responding to this unmet need, Litigation Support Services, a division of Relationship Matters International (2001) Ltd, has launched an affordable, practical support model designed specifically for self-represented litigants across civil, family, and criminal jurisdictions.

Stephen Taylor, who leads the service, is currently completing a Master of Legal Studies at the University of Auckland and brings extensive lived and practical experience to this role.

He has previously acted as a Court-appointed Litigation Guardian, McKenzie Friend, and Court Support Person, and is also a successful self-represented litigant in the Disputes Tribunal, District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of New Zealand.

These experiences make Mr Taylor an effective legal navigator within what is often an unknown and intimidating court environment.

“It is long past time for self-represented litigants navigating the judicial system to be adequately resourced in their endeavours,” says Mr Taylor, Convenor of the Self-Represented Litigants Association of New Zealand.

Unequal Access Across Jurisdictions:

The need is particularly acute in the Family Court, where 12.8% of cases involve at least one self-represented litigant, often in emotionally charged disputes involving children.

Despite access to some advisory services, many families struggle with procedural complexity, documentation, and the cost of ongoing legal advice.

While access to justice is a fundamental right, many New Zealanders experience significant barriers when legal aid thresholds exclude them and private legal services remain unaffordable.

A Policy Agenda to Close the Justice Gap:

Mr Taylor proposes a suite of practical, evidence-informed reforms to improve access to justice for self-represented litigants:

1. Procedural Improvements

Simplification of court forms, procedures, and language

Step-by-step guides, checklists, and in-person workshops

Recognition that not all litigants are digitally confident

2. Enhanced Support Services

Expansion of the Family Legal Advisory Service, including extended hours and deeper procedural assistance

Increased funding for Community Law Centres to expand staffing and outreach

Nationwide expansion of Kaiārahi Family Court Navigators to provide tailored coaching and preparation

3. Legal Aid Reform

Updating legal aid eligibility thresholds to reflect inflation and the real cost of living

Current income thresholds—ranging from $22,366 to $50,934 per year, depending on family size—are widely regarded as outdated

Introduction of flexible and partial legal aid grants, including stage-specific assistance

4. Expansion of Pro Bono Schemes

Tax deductions and cost-recovery frameworks to compensate lawyers for pro bono work

Formal expansion of Te Ara Ture, with structured commitments and recognition for participating lawyers

5. Expansion of Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)

As of 1 July 2025, the first 12 hours of FDR mediation are fully funded

Removing financial eligibility thresholds entirely would further reduce pressure on the courts and encourage early resolution.

Practical Resources for Self-Represented Litigants:

Litigation Support Services also connects clients with trusted, accessible tools, including:

CourtAid.AI – AI-powered legal research with semantic search, case summaries, and document analysis.

NZ Community Law Manual (Law Manual Online) – free, plain-language legal information.

Family Legal Advisory Service (FLAS) – free initial family law advice.

Community Law Centres – 24 centres nationwide with over 120 outreach locations.

Family Dispute Resolution Service – child-focused mediation, with 12 funded sessions available from July 2025.

A Call for Systemic Change:

Improving access to justice for self-represented litigants requires a coordinated, multi-faceted approach—combining procedural simplification, advisory services, legal aid reform, pro bono expansion, and modern digital tools.

Without meaningful reform, thousands of New Zealanders will continue to fall through the justice gap. Litigation Support Services aims to ensure that self-representation does not mean self-abandonment in the pursuit of justice.

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