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The Perils of the Courtroom: A Guide for the Self-Represented

You're a Lone Wolf Facing an Army of Many
When you step into court as a pro se or self-represented litigant, you must understand that you are an army of one. While you might get some token help, you can't rely on it. You are by yourself, responsible for doing all the research, preparing all the documents, and presenting your case in court. This is a fundamental concept that you have to grasp: everything rests on your shoulders. This is because you are up against an "army of many", which is the Law Society. The Law Society is a group of people who swear oaths to each other, including not to embarrass or hold each other accountable, so as not to damage the reputation of the Law Society itself. This means lawyers won't hold each other accountable, even if a lawyer acts atrociously.

The Justice System: A Deceptive Reality
Many people find it difficult to accept that lawyers won't hold each other accountable because they've been conditioned by "predictive programming" from TV shows, movies, and news broadcasts. This constant propaganda makes people believe in a "justice system" that functions in a way it doesn't. The legal system, in reality, is not a fair or open playing field. It's a system skewed in favor of lawyers because the entire judicial, political, and corporate systems are all interconnected with and run by lawyers. Until you accept this, you won't understand why lawyers don't hold each other to account. The system operates on different, unspoken rules, despite what it claims on the surface.

Lawyers and the 'Duty of Candour'
One of the most dangerous deceptions you'll encounter is the "duty of candour". This is an oath that supposedly binds lawyers to tell the truth to judges, opposing counsel, and their clients. However, this is an assumption "baked into the system". Because of this presumption, lawyers can get away with lying directly to a judge's face, and the judge may be unwilling or unable to call them out on it. This allows lawyers to use lies and deceptive practices freely. If you do catch a lawyer acting atrociously, the Law Society is more likely to cover it up to save its reputation rather than correct the lawyer's behavior. This is how people in positions of power, who are assumed not to be deceptive, are able to defraud you.

Sabotage and Paper Trails
As a self-represented litigant, you must be prepared for a coordinated effort to sabotage you. Lawyers will say untrue things about you, throw you "under the bus" on procedural matters, and even try to have you labeled as a vexatious litigant to slow you down. They will bury you with a flood of frivolous and inappropriate paperwork. You cannot hide from this. You have to work through the legal system and untangle all the paperwork they throw at you to find a solution that works in your favor. A useful concept to employ here is "value for acceptance". When presented with a claim, you accept it "upon proof of claim" that the claim is valid. You're essentially asking for the documentation that proves their claim is legitimate and where they get their authority.

The Long Game: Building Your Reputation
Despite all these disadvantages, you can achieve success in court if you have the time, energy, and will to commit to the end. The key is to adopt a mindset of "never give up, never back down, never surrender". Unlike lawyers, who are bound by oaths to the Law Society, you are honor-bound to be truthful because it's in your best interest. You must be known as someone who is polite, keeps their cool, and always acts in accordance with the rules of court. Over time, by consistently acting honorably, you will build a reputation as a person who holds others accountable. This takes time and effort, but it's an important investment that will make your life easier in the long run, and people will learn to stay out of your way.

A Final Warning and a Call to Action
The court system is not what it appears to be, and it's not a fair game. You are a single individual facing a system that is rigged in favor of lawyers. However, the good news is that you can hold everyone in the legal system accountable to the surface-level rules they claim to live by. It takes a lot of work and a solid reputation for being an honorable person. By acting honorably and truthfully in all things, you can overcome the deceptive practices of the system and achieve great success. You must be persistent and unwavering, as this is a long game where your conduct today affects your future. You have to understand that this is not a straightforward system, but with the right mindset and a lot of dedication, you can navigate it successfully .