ABA STUDY FINDS SELF-REPRESENTATION RESULTING IN WORSE OUTCOME IN CASES

An American Bar Association (ABA) study finds that more people are representing themselves and are doing a poor job at it.

In a survey of nearly 1,200 state trial judges around the country the ABA found that the weak economy has increased the number of litigants representing themselves in foreclosures, domestic relations, consumer issues and non-foreclosure housing matters. The judges surveyed believe the self-represented litigants are doing a poor job as well as burdening courts already hurt by cutbacks.

According to the ABA the judges interviewed in the study say case filings increase in 2009. The greatest increase is in foreclosures, domestic relations, consumer cases and other housing matters.

The report released by the ABA finds that Self-representation is resulting in worse outcomes for litigants, according to 62 percent of the judges. According to 94 percent of the judges who participated in the survey, the greatest problem is failure to present necessary evidence.

Bronx Condo Owner Seeks Return of Deed Conveyed in Alleged Foreclosure Rescue Scam and Deed Theft

VMW LAW, New York, March 2010: The Bronx Supreme Court in New York views it as a case of an alleged "foreclosure rescue scam" or "deed theft", but the court is NOT quite ready to rule on the matter, stating in a February 16, 2010 denial of the Plaintiff's summary judgment motion that there are triable issues of fact.Read the article here.

Tenants Beware!

Voluntary Payment Bars Recovery of Rent Overcharge.

CitiCorp got a rude awakening when a New York court dismissed the bank's la suit to recover an approximately half a million dollars in rent overcharge... more

New York Landlord to pay 1 million dollars in tenant harassment case. Vantage Properties LLC agreed to pay the large settlement amount and stop frivolous eviction actions against tenants, most of whom live in rent-regulated units...more