This site provides information to individuals who are representing themselves in the Middle District of Georgia without the assistance of an attorney. This website is intended as an informative and practical resource for these litigants and is not a substitute for legal advice from an experienced attorney. The information is procedural in nature and should be read in conjunction with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of this Court.
The court has prepared a Guide for Self-Represented Litigants as well as a list of Helpful Links, which will answer the most frequently asked questions as well as guide you through the process.
Guide For Self Represented Litigants
When you are without an attorney, you are proceeding "pro se". If you represent yourself in Court, you are called a "pro se litigant" or a "self-represented litigant". "Pro se" is a Latin term, meaning "on one's own behalf"and a "litigant" is someone who is either suing someone or is being sued in court.
The right to appear pro se in a civil case in federal court is contained in a statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1654. Thus, anyone can appear pro se, and anyone who appears before the Court without an attorney is considered pro se. There are, however, certain limitations to self-representation, such as:
- Corporations and partnerships must be represented by an attorney.
- A pro se litigant may not represent a class in a class action.
- A non-attorney parent may not appear pro se on behalf of a child, except to appeal the denial of the child's social security benefits.
Be advised that the clerk's office is forbidden by law from giving you legal advice. Legal advice could be described, but is not limited to: offering interpretation of rules; recommending a course of action; predicting a judicial officer's decision and interpreting the meaning or effect of any court order or judgment.
You may file documents by mail or in person at the Clerk’s office.
Access to Electronic Filing
Pursuant to Local Rule 5, pro se litigants may only file electronically if they first receive permission from the court. In order for the court to evaluate requests you must complete the below form and email it to the appropriate divisional office email address for the division in which your case is pending.
Please be advised that electronic filing access does not allow an unrepresented litigant to open a civil case or file other case initiating documents. Additionally, prisoners who are unrepresented litigants may not file electronically, and prisoners must continue to file by mailing documents to the court.