To think judges are "nicer" to people representing themselves?

[PerverseConverse]

My stbexh has always represented himself in court whereas I have legal aid due to DV so am represented. The judges always seem to be quite pleasant to him even when telling him he's wasting court time. Does lack of representation mean they tend to be nicer or do they have to bite their tongues in general?

It depends on what you mean by ‘nicer’. The court recognises that when people represent themselves they are at a disadvantage because they aren’t familiar with the rules and procedure, and have to advocate for themselves in an intimidating environment. Because of that, they aren’t penalised for getting procedural things wrong to the same extent as a represented person would be, and they may receive more direction from the court in respect of what they are required to do.

But that aside, all parties in a dispute should be treated with equal respect and manners.

No. They are polite and civil. They don't have to spare the feelings of a solicitor though, and those representing themselves can be self righteous twats that need a certain amount of head patting in order for things to run smoothly. At least, my solicitor pointed out that about the judge in the case of my divorce.

IME judges are MUCH more lenient to litigants in person. Although I've no experience of family proceedings, just commercial litigation.

Subtlecheese ah, that makes sense then with the head patting to make things run smoothly. He likes to argue with the judges and I can see the judges gritting their teeth so like Twotailed says maybe they are just being civil and polite rather than "nice." By "nice" I mean not giving them the bollocking they deserve for being vexatious and argumentative. He has now been banned from any further court applications though