Seals of the Court of Appeals and Superior Court
District of Columbia Courts

If Representing yourself

The DC Courts and other organizations make available brochures, guides, and handbooks that provide information about filing various types of cases and general assistance. Links to these useful resources are listed below on this web page.

LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | Tigrinya | French | Korean | Vietnamese

Visit the LawHelp/DC website for resources to assist in solving common legal problems.
Search the directory of legal services providers that may be able to provide assistance or give information on how to represent yourself.
The DC Bar provides additional information on How to Find and Work With a Lawyer.
The Courts provide assistance through a number of resource centers. LawHelp/DC maintains a calendar with information on Legal Clinics and Resource Centers.
Family

Includes matters related to adoption, child support, custody and visitation.

DC Superior Court Family Self-Help Center
Family Law Section of LawHelp/DC
Family Matters
Custody Jurisdiction Decision Tree Tool
Housing

Includes matters related to evictions, lease agreements, housing conditions and repairs, ownership and foreclosures, landlord’s rights and responsibilities.

Landlord and Tenant Matters
Housing Section of LawHelp/DC
Eviction Help
Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network - Free Legal Help (English & Spanish)
Estates and Wills

Matters relating to wills, small and large estates, and adult guardianships.

Probate Matters
Probate and Estate Planning Section of LawHelp/DC
Probate Self Help Center - Estates, Wills and Guardianships

Domestic Violence

See information about the definition of domestic violence and how to stay safe.

Domestic Violence Matters
Domestic Violence Legal Information on LawHelp/DC
Mediation

The Multi-Door Division can help resolve problems without filing a case using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or Mediation. This ADR assistance includes family, child protection, and community problems and disputes. For more information on landlord & tenant matters, visit the Landlord-tenant resource center. For information on family matters, visit the Family Self Help Center.

Public Defender

For legal assistance navigating the District of Columbia juvenile and criminal justice systems, contact the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia.

Appeals

See resources for those looking to represent themselves or in need of assistance in an appeals process.

Representing Yourself in an Appeal
Free Legal Services Providers for Non-Criminal Appeals

THREE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FILING A CASE:

What is the case type that addresses my issue?
Where do I file?
What forms do I need to file?

Mediation

Mediation helps parties settle disputes with the help of an impartial third party. There are many types of dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, case evaluation and conciliation. Our mediators and dispute resolution specialists are trained to serve in a wide range of cases, from civil to small claims, to family.

Learn more

Locating an attorney

Legal Services Providers organizations may be able to give you legal advice, represent you in court, or help you learn how to represent yourself. The DC Bar provides additional information on How to Find and Work With a Lawyer.

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Forms

Search across all courts and divisions for the form you require. Filter for more specialized results. Forms may come in several different languages including; English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, and Vietnamese. Please note that all forms must be submitted in English.

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This glossary will assist in finding definitions for specific Law terms by searching by a keyword or filtering by letter.
The Code of Judicial Conduct of the District of Columbia as adopted by the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration of the District of Columbia Courts.
Learn more about our most frequently asked questions by choosing a category or searching by keyword.