General procedural advice
If you’re representing yourself, you might need help to work out what steps you need to take.
Registry staff can provide general procedural information to help you figure out how to represent your case, but they can’t provide legal advice.
Read more about the difference between procedural and legal advice.
Read the fact sheets for procedural information about civil proceedings in the Supreme and District Courts.
Below are some options for getting assistance with court procedures, practices and etiquette.
Self-Represented Litigants Service
The Self-Represented Litigants Service (SRLS) provides assistance and support to people representing themselves in civil cases in the Brisbane Supreme Court or Brisbane District Court.
The SRLS provides free, confidential and impartial assistance to all litigants regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability.
To be eligible for assistance at any stage within a proceeding, you must:
- have no legal representation
- be bringing or defending a civil claim or originating application in the Brisbane Supreme Court or the Brisbane District Court
- be acting either as an individual or on behalf of a small corporation or community organisation.
What we do
- explain and answer questions about how the court operates
- explain basic legal concepts and terms
- give information about court rules, procedures and practices, court protocols and etiquette
- direct you to required forms and relevant legislation
- explain the mandatory requirements for completing forms and other court documents
- provide court lists and information about listing cases before the court
- refer you to agencies that provide legal advice.
What we don’t do
- give legal advice
- tell you whether to bring your case to court, or whether you’re likely to succeed
- advise what action you should take in your case
- complete court forms or paperwork for you, though staff can check that you’ve completed court documents correctly, including signatures, dates, hearing details, and file numbers
- tell you what to say in court
- give an opinion about what will, or is likely to, happen in court
- talk to a judge or registrar on your behalf
- go with you to hearings, trials or other court appearances
- serve papers for you
- help with Magistrates Court enquiries.
Read more about the difference between procedural and legal advice.
For enquiries about Magistrates Court matters, contact your local courthouse.
Book a meeting
If you are eligible to use the SRLS, complete our online form to book a 30-minute meeting with registry staff. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am–12pm, either:
- in person at the Brisbane registry, QEII Courts of Law, 415 George Street, Brisbane
- over the phone.
Once you submit this form, we’ll contact you by phone or email to arrange a meeting.
Resource room
As a self-represented litigant you can access a resource room in Brisbane’s QEII Courts of Law which contains a photocopier, computer with internet access and a printer.
To access the internet you will need to provide identification, agree to the terms and conditions of use, and meet the eligibility criteria above.
Email FundsandSRLS@justice.qld.gov.au to reserve the resource room.