Puerto Rico's Judicial Branch marked the 25th anniversary of its Access Program for Self-Represented Litigants (Litigantes por Derecho Propio) on September 22, 2026, and officially opened a new Pro Se Center in the Guayama Judicial Region, expanding free, impartial guidance services for people appearing in court without legal representation. The event, held at the Guayama Judicial Center under the theme "25 years guiding and serving the community," featured remarks from Chief Justice Maite D. Oronoz Rodríguez, who praised the Pro Se Centers' contribution to access to justice and the work of Orientation Officers assisting self-represented litigants.
She noted that the judicial system can be complex and that understanding its processes can be a formidable barrier for those without legal representation. Also participating were Associate Justices Luis F. Estrella Martínez and Raul A. Candelario López, and Administrative Director of the Courts Sigfrido Steidel Figueroa. The Pro Se Program began in 2001 as a pilot project in the Carolina Judicial Region, later expanded to Humacao and Mayagüez, and was formally recognized in 2005.
It has since grown to include Bayamón, Caguas, Utuado, Fajardo, Ponce, Aguadilla and Arecibo, with Guayama now becoming the newest region added to the network.