Litigants with small claims to gain help from local lawyers

Small claims litigants and litigants in person are to receive a helping hand from Devon & Exeter Law Society, which is developing a mediation and advisory scheme for small claims cases in the civil courts.

The plans, which are currently being considered by the local district judges, mean that all small claims litigants would have to meet a mediator - trained by the the society - who would try to settle the case.

If mediation is unsuccessful, litigants in person would be appointed a 'litigation friend' - a solicitor, trainee or legal executive - who would give general advice on court processes.

Jeremy Ferguson, vice-president of Devon & Exeter Law Society, said: 'Because of the raising of the small claims limit and the withdrawal of legal aid for civil cases, we have found that district judges spend much of their time sorting out the legal papers of litigants in person who are unfamiliar with the court processes.' If approved, an application will be made for funding by the local Community Legal Service Partnership.Victoria MacCallum