Let's Revisit Pro Per vs. Pro Se
Pro Per vs. Pro Se by Djehuty Ma'at-Ra. If you are one of the few but bold and intelligent Americans who know that any legal case can be litigated without an attorney and decide to litigate your own case, be it civil or criminal, but especially civil, you need to know the legal difference between proceeding "pro per" (or "in pro per" or "in propria persona") and proceeding "pro se" (or "in pro se"). Understanding of these two terms is critical, especially pertaining to personam jurisdiction. There are two types of jurisdiction: "personam" and "subject matter" and a court needs to clearly have jurisdiction of both in order to hear a case for or against you. Personam jurisdiction gives a court the authority over your person or you as an individual in order to hear or try a case involving you. Subject matter jurisdiction gives a court the authority over the thing, issue, or activity (i.e. ne