Free US Law Dictionary

Pro Se

Pro se is a Latin adjective meaning "for self", that is applied to someone who represents himself or herself without a lawyer in a court proceeding, whether as a defendant or a plaintiff and whether the matter is civil or criminal. This status is sometimes known as "propria persona" or "pro per". In England and Wales the phrase "Litigant in Person" is used.

In California, in both state and federal courts including the 9th Circuit, the phrase "In Pro Per" is used instead of pro se. "In pro per" is short for in propria persona Latin for "in proper person".

A popular new term for pro se is self-represented litigant (SRL). The reason for this is to make legal terms more accessible to the general public.