When generating legal documents, you might notice that a Pro Se party (an individual representing themselves in a case without an attorney) does not appear as intended, even if their contact information was added to the Service tab. This can be frustrating, but the good news is that it’s simply a matter of entering the information correctly to ensure Pro Se or Pro Per parties are properly displayed in the documents.
Follow the steps below to make sure Pro Se parties are correctly populated in your documents.
Step 1. Add the Pro Se Party’s Contact Information
Navigate to the Service tab. Under the Service Information cascade, input the Pro Se party’s full name in the Service Party full name field.
Step 2. Link the Pro Se Party to the Represented Party
Locate the Name of Represented Party field and add the Pro Se party here as well. This step ensures the link between their contact information and their role in the case.
Step 3. Select Pro Se or Pro Per from the Picklist
Find the Represented Party Type picklist and choose either Pro Se or Pro Per, depending on the terminology used in your jurisdiction. This classification is essential for how the party will be presented in the legal document.
Step 4. Review Document Templates for Variations
Be aware that the information for Pro Se parties will populate differently depending on the template and the state you are working in. For instance:
Some state pleading templates may include a line like “Attorneys for [Party Name],” which adapts to indicate the Pro Se status.
The placement and order of the information (e.g., full name or address) in the Certificate/Proof of Service may differ depending on the specific legal requirements of your location.
By following these steps, you can ensure that the Pro Se or Pro Per parties are accurately represented in all legal documents, maintaining compliance with jurisdictional requirements.
If you have any questions or run into any issues, please reach out to the Sophus Support Team by clicking the Contact Us button. Thank you.