Pro Se

/ˌproʊ ˈseɪ/

Definitions

  1. (adj.) Representing oneself in a legal proceeding without the assistance of a lawyer.
    She chose to appear pro se in court to save legal fees.
  2. (adv.) Without legal representation; acting on one's own behalf in court.
    He filed the motion pro se after deciding not to hire an attorney.

Commentary

Often used in legal contexts to describe a party who conducts their own case without an attorney; clarity is important to distinguish from unrepresented parties with assigned counsel.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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