The pro se information on this website is specifically for individuals who are representing themselves in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut without the assistance of an attorney. It is intended as an informative and practical resource for understanding the basic procedures of this court. The information is not a substitute for legal advice from an experienced attorney. The statements do not constitute legal advice and may not be cited as legal authority. This webpage does not take the place of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the local court rules, or the individual practices of the judges of this court. All parties filing without an attorney/acting as a prose litigant are responsible for complying with all applicable rules of procedure. If there is any conflict between the information on this webpage and the applicable rules, the rules govern, including this court's Contested Matter Procedure.
When you do not have an attorney, you are proceeding "pro se." If you represent yourself in this court, you are called a "pro se litigant" or a "self-represented litigant." "Pro se" is a Latin term meaning "on one's own behalf." The right to proceed pro se in a civil case in federal court is provided by federal statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1654. Thus, anyone can proceed pro se. There are, however, certain limitations to self-representation, such as:
- Corporations and partnerships must be represented by an attorney
This webpage contains links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience. By linking to the websites of other organizations, the court is neither endorsing those organizations nor making any representation about the quality of the service provided by those organizations. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut cannot guarantee the accuracy, relevance, reliability or completeness of the information you may find on other websites.