Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A self-represented litigant cannot complain on appeal about having a bad lawyer

R. v. Janusas, 2010 ONSC 2068 (http://bit.ly/aW1uac) was reported today online.  It is a very ordinary case but has an interesting observation from the Court to the effect that someone who is self-represented cannot later complain they had a bad lawyer.  Justice Lederer says:

 

[1]               People have every right to act on their own behalf.  Nonetheless, there is a risk in doing so. The courts may attempt to minimize the difficulties that may appear by explaining the rules and relaxing the process but, in the end, it is still better to have a good lawyer.

 

1 comment:

The Mound of Sound said...

I've seen a few laymen who were actually pretty damned good and tied opposing counsel in knots.