Representing yourself
You can choose to represent yourself in the Planning and Environment (P and E Court).
Alternatively, you can have a lawyer or even an agent who is not a lawyer represent you. For example, when residents group together to start an appeal or elect to become party to an appeal, they will often appoint one resident, who is not a lawyer, to represent the group as their agent.
Although you’re not required to have a lawyer, you should consult a lawyer about whether you have valid grounds to appeal, the steps you need to take and the time limits for taking them.
If you choose to bring the case to court and act for yourself, you must do your own investigating, researching and preparing, and must be available to attend court when required. This can be time consuming.
To assist people who wish to represent themselves, the P and E Court has produced Practice Direction 11 of 2023 - Self-represented Litigants . The Practice Direction provides useful information about the court's expectations of self-represented litigants.
The Environmental Defenders Office has also produced The Community Litigants Handbook which helps self-represented litigants understand the rules and procedures of the P and E Court.
Find more information about representing yourself in Queensland Courts.