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Jordan Marsh

Jordan Marsh

Try Your Own Case

A definitive guide to representing yourself in court, by Jordan Marsh.


The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to an attorney for all criminal defendants. There is no such right for people involved in civil lawsuits. The rules and laws that govern civil litigation naturally favor the side with the attorney who has the best training and experience. However, many people cannot afford to hire a good attorney, and many others are unable to find an attorney to represent them. Try Your Own Case is a guidebook by trial attorney and author Jordan Marsh to support people in ‘pro se’ litigation, in other words those who are representing themselves in a civil case, rather than being represented by an attorney. Marsh’s aim is to level the playing field between those who are represented by an attorney and those who are representing themselves. Marsh explains that the rules that govern civil litigation are complex and sometimes difficult to understand for those who do not have legal training, but with plenty of research, preparation, and focus, anyone can do this. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on different aspects of the civil litigation process. Part I explains the stages of a lawsuit before the trial; Part II explains the pretrial and trial process; and Part III explains other key aspects of civil litigation. There is a handy glossary and index at the end of the book, and a comprehensive package of additional information and resources in the appendix.


Try Your Own Case by Jordan Marsh is a guidebook for people who are considering representing themselves in civil court. The book aims to demystify the legal process and provides practical guidance for those navigating the court system without an attorney. This is a comprehensive, extensively researched, well written and engaging guidebook. Marsh’s writing is clear, simple and accessible for both the lay-reader and more experienced professional. While it may not replace the need for professional legal advice, it does provide a solid foundation for understanding the civil litigation process.


I have absolutely zero legal knowledge and I learnt a great deal from this informative and insightful book. I hope I never have to represent myself in court, but if I do, I know exactly where to go!


Star rating: 5 Stars 


Summary: An essential read for anyone navigating a civil lawsuit on their own.

Jordan Marsh
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