Interactive decision tree
Please use our interactive tool to understand more about the criminal and civil justice systems and how the two systems can interact. It outlines the main steps, and has been specifically created with the individuals and smaller business victim in mind.
Please carefully read about the main differences between the criminal and civil justice systems before using the decision tree.
Civil proceedings
ACT AS A LITIGANT IN PERSON
Litigants in person (where someone isn’t represented by a legal professional) are most common in very small claims. You should bear in mind that as a litigant in person you can still be liable for the other side’s costs at the end of the trial.
If you are considering proceedings as a litigant in person, it can nevertheless be useful to obtain some professional advice in the initial stages of a claim.