- About 2 minread
- General ideashold in most courts
- Checked October 30, 2026educational only
All three describe a person who handles their own court case without a lawyer. Which one you see usually depends on the court and the region.
Pro se
“Pro se” is Latin for “for oneself.” It is the most common term in federal courts and in many state courts, and the one most people search for.
Pro per
“Pro per” is short for “in propria persona,” Latin for “in one's own person.” You will see it mostly in some western states, especially California. It means the same thing as pro se.
Self-represented litigant
Many courts now prefer plain English. “Self-represented litigant,” sometimes shortened to SRL, or “unrepresented litigant,” is the everyday version of the same idea. Court help centers often use these words on their signs and websites.
Does the name change your rights or rules?
No. The name does not change which rules apply to you or how a judge treats your papers. What matters is your own court's rules, forms and deadlines. If you are unsure which words your court uses, look at its website or ask the clerk's office what they call the help for people without lawyers.
Which one should you use?
When you search for help, try all three terms, because help pages use different ones. In your own papers, use the words your court's forms use. If you are not sure, your name and “self-represented” or “pro se” are both widely understood.
