Forms ... are provided by the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) of the San Francisco Bar Association, which operates the Legal Help Center in the San Francisco courthouse. These are not official court-approved forms.

This Handbook is designed to help people dealing with civil lawsuits in federal court without legal representation. Proceeding without a lawyer is called proceeding "pro se1," a Latin phrase meaning "for oneself," or sometimes "in propria persona," meaning "in his or her own person." Representing yourself in a lawsuit can be complicated, time consuming, and costly. Failing to follow court procedures can mean losing your case. For these reasons, you are urged to work with a lawyer if possible. Chapter 2 gives suggestions on finding a lawyer. Do not rely entirely on this Handbook. This Handbook provides a summary of civil lawsuit procedures, but it may not cover all procedures that may apply in your case. It also does not teach you about the laws that will control your case. Make sure you read the applicable federal and local court rules and do your own research at a law library or online to understand your case. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California has Clerk's Offices in the San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland courthouses. Clerk's Office staff can answer general questions, but they cannot give you any legal advice. For example, they cannot help you decide what to do in your lawsuit, tell you what the law means, or even advise you when documents are due. There are Legal Help Centers in the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose courthouses where you can get free help with your lawsuit from an attorney who can help you prepare documents and give limited legal advice. This attorney will not be your lawyer and you will still be representing yourself. See Chapter 2 for more details.

Any practitioner faced with the decision as to whether to appeal, or who has questions arising at each stage, will benefit enormously from a book that examines the law, principles, procedures, and processes involved. This leading work has been updated and restructured, to ensure it provides guidance on the complete and complex process of making a civil appeal. Clearly written and cross referenced, the books UK/European coverage of appeals includes: -- District Judges to Circuit Judges in the County Court -- Masters and District Judges to High Court Judges -- Court of Appeal -- House of Lords -- Privy Council -- The European Court -- The European Court of Human Rights -- Administrative Law and Elections

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

The price quoted for the work covers one year's worth of service. The upkeep price for the work is $1845.50 (updated with supplements and revisions).

Back Cover Copy This is the fourth book in a legal series by Raymond E. Lumsden designed to teach and assist pro se prisoners, and the general public, in post-conviction proceedings. This extremely easy-to-use tutorial, packed full with sample motions, letters, forms, and pleadings, will assist you in advancing your rights in federal court. It's a must-have for anyone attempting to do so pro se. Logically written in layman terms for easy comprehension and strategically outlined and organized, this book allows you to absorb and easily follow the complicated and twisted path that is the federal court system. This is an invaluable tool and resource for any pro se user who hopes to achieve relief in their federal post-conviction habeas corpus.Herein is everything you will ever need to know, at your fingertips for use and application, in your federal habeas corpus. Many already own a copy, and now you should too. Your freedom is waiting.