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.
Eligibility
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.
How the SRLS can help
The SRLS can:
- 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 SRLS can’t do
SRLS won’t:
- 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.
- 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 to help you understand court procedures and prepare for your case. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am–12pm, either:
- in person at the Brisbane registry, 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.
Send an email to reserve the resource room.
Contact us
Street address
Civil registry, Supreme and District Courts
Ground floor, 415 George Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Postal address
PO Box 15167
City East Qld 4002
General enquiries
1800 497 117
Fax (07) 3738 7918
Email
FundsandSRLS@justice.qld.gov.au
Business hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (excluding Wednesday, 9.30am to 4.30pm)
Resources
