The purpose of the Civil Self-Help Center is to provide general information and basic assistance to self-represented litigants (those without a lawyer). If you have a lawyer, or represent a corporation, LLC or LLP, we cannot help you. Corporations, LLC's and LLP's must appear in court through an attorney; they cannot represent themselves through a non-lawyer.
Help is provided either through workshops, quick assistance, referrals, or through a limited number of individual appointments. We regret that help is NOT available by telephone or email, as our resources are limited.
The CSHC cannot assist with all types of cases. Instead of an appointment, patrons may be referred to the library or to other services such as the Small Claims Clinic or Family Law Facilitators' office.
Issues Staff CAN Assist You With:
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Issues Staff CANNOT Assist You With:
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| General information about civil cases and court procedures |
Appeals |
| Simple complaints for breach of contract |
Landlord/tenant (unlawful detainer) |
| Simple answers for breach of contract through Workshop |
Medical, dental, and legal malpractice |
| Simple complaints for personal injury and property damage |
Quiet Title and all Real Estate Actions, including Foreclosure and Loan Modification |
| Simple answers for personal injury and property damage |
Administrative Law, Government Torts, Writs of Mandate & any action involving a government entity |
| Fee Waivers |
Family Law (divorce, child custody, paternity) |
| Enforcement of Judgment |
Criminal Law |
| Motions to Set Aside Default |
Probate |
| Motions to Extend Time for Service only |
Small Claims |
| Case Management Statements through Online Video |
Traffic |
| Name Changes through Workshop or Online Video |
Juvenile Dependency and Delinquency |
| Requests for Entry of Default |
Federal law (Bankruptcy, Immigration Law, lawsuits against the U.S., All Civil Rights lawsuits) |
| Discovery Responses through Workshop and Lab |
Class Action lawsuits |
| Simple Demand/Settlement/Cease and Desist letters |
Writs of Possession/TROs/Injunctions |
| Oppositions to Civil Forfeitures |
Employment Law |
updated 01/04/12