Justices Likely to Ease Appellate Rules for Pro Se Litigants

The US Supreme Court appeared likely to relax requirements for litigants seeking an appeal after missing a formal deadline to do so, particularly for those representing themselves.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said at argument on Monday that a strict interpretation of the law would be “unfair” to pro se litigants.

The likelihood that a prisoner, like the petitioner in the argued case, will be able to file a second notice of appeal within a 14-day deadline is “next to nothing,” Sotomayor said.

A federal judiciary advisory committee is considering the rule at issue.

Donte Parrish sued the government for time spent ...