Unrepresented litigants.

• Author: Mitchell, Teresa
• Position: Bench press - R. v. Phillips 2003 ABCA 4 - Brief Article

Michael Philli[s was convicted of attempted murder and other serious charges after a trial by judge and jury in which he represented himself. He had fired several lawyers before trial, refused to cross-examine witnesses, called no evidence in his own defence, and failed to follow the judge's advice about possible defences. He then appealed his conviction, stating that his trial was unfair because the trial judge did not give him appropriate guidance. The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, stating "While an accused person has a constitutional right to a fair trial, there is no constitutional right to funded legal counsel in every case, nor is representation by a lawyer a prerequisite to a fair trial". Justice Fruman noted that the trial judge considered

* Mr. Phillip's lack of diligence in obtaining a lawyer...