When You stand Alone in Court – The Law Should Stand With You

By Dawn Kelly

I’ve stood alone in court. Many times.

I didn’t have a lawyer – I couldn’t afford one even if I wanted one. Private lawyers didn’t want to argue the constitutional and jurisdictional issues I raised. So I did what thousands of Australians do every year: I represented myself.

What I didn’t expect was how the system would treat me for doing so.

Dawn Kellys Personal statement in support of the SRL bill 2025 Download

Self-Represented Doesn’t Mean Lesser

I came to court prepared—with affidavits, statute references, and hours of research. But I was met with labels like “pseudo-legal,” “OPCA” (Organized Pseudo-legal Commercial Argument) and “sovereign citizen” (an oxymoron)—not because I behaved unlawfully, but because I challenged unlawful processes.

I was denied access to law libraries. Denied cross-examination rights. Dismissed mid-sentence. And even physically assaulted in court at the instruction of a magistrate.

When I won my case, I was offered nothing but the cost of parking and photocopying. No compensation for the weeks of work. No recognition of the injustice I’d endured.

So I Wrote a Bill — For All of Us

The Self-Represented Litigants (Equitable Treatment and Costs Recovery) Bill 2025 is the result of everything I’ve lived and witnessed in WA courts. It’s not just about me—it’s about every parent, worker, survivor, or everyday person who’s walked into court without a lawyer and still expected justice.

What This Bill Would Change:

Equal Treatment – Courts would be legally bound to treat SRLs with the same dignity as represented parties.
Cost Recovery – SRLs who succeed would be allowed to recover reasonable costs, including time and preparation.
Access to Resources – Everyone would have access to court law libraries, forms, and procedural guidance.
Accountability – There would be compensation for those prosecuted unlawfully or unfairly, and oversight over court staff conduct.

Why This Matters

When the legal system only works for those with lawyers, it fails as a justice system. Access to justice should not depend on your income or whether someone will take your case.

This bill is a step toward levelling the legal playing field—for all of us.