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08 December 2023 / Stephen Gerlis
Issue: 8052 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Litigants in person
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Ignorance is not bliss for LiPs

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Amid rising numbers of litigants in person, Stephen Gerlis relates a cautionary tale
  • A recent case, Mainline Pipelines Limited v Phillips and Phillips, highlights the difficulties litigants encounter when conducting cases themselves and the knock-on effect on other cases.

We already know the number of litigants deciding to conduct cases in person is increasing. Lack of available funding or even distrust of lawyers are some of the reasons feeding into a tsunami of unrepresented parties, which in turn is aggravating the backlog of cases facing the courts. A recent case highlights the risks being taken by a litigant in person and the limit on the assistance the court can give them.

Missing statement of truth

In Mainline Pipelines Limited v Mr and Mrs Phillips [2023] EWHC 2146 (Ch), [2023] All ER (D) 95 (Aug) Mr Phillips was representing both himself and his wife as defendants to a claim concerning the repair of a multi-fuel pipeline which ran under part of the defendants’ farm. The claimants were seeking

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