Opinion
AP-2016-05
03-21-2017
CHRIS BARTLETT, Plaintiff, v. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE COMMISSION, Defendant
ORDER ON PENDING MOTION
The Petitioner moves the court a second time to reconsider the Dismissal Order issued on January 3, 2017. This court dismissed this matter because the Petitioner failed to file a brief in accordance with the Briefing Schedule issued by this court. The Petitioner's initial motion was denied because the Petitioner offered no explanation for his failure to file a brief.
With his second motion, the Petitioner claims he did not know he was required to file a brief and that he does not know what a brief is. A litigant who elects to represent himself is bound by the same rules as one represented by counsel; he is not entitled to any preferential treatment. See State v. Dunn, 480 A.2d 788, 790 (Me. 1984); Oliver v. Martin, 460 A.2d 594, 595 (Me. 1983). As a result, the Petitioner's lack of knowledge of court procedure does not constitute excusable neglect. Therefore, the Petitioner's Second Motion to Reconsider is DENIED.
The Clerk is directed to incorporate this Order by reference into the docket for this case, pursuant to Rule 79(a), Maine Rules of Civil Procedure.