Technically yes. The law does not prohibit you from representing yourself in the Magistrate's Court for a debt review removal application. This is called appearing in propria persona. The practical reality is that self-represented debt review removal applications fail at a very high rate, and the reasons are specific.
Why DIY debt review removal fails in most cases:
• The Magistrates Court Rules are technical and procedural. Filing incorrect forms, missing required annexures, or failing to comply with practice directions specific to each court results in dismissal or postponement.
• The 20-business-day rule: the application must be formally served on all respondents, your debt counsellor and all credit providers, at least 20 business days before the court date. Service must be done by the Sheriff of the Court. Missing this deadline invalidates the application.
• The founding affidavit must be correctly structured, properly attested, and set out your financial case in a legally sound manner. A poorly drafted affidavit gives the Magistrate no basis to grant the order.
• Determining which court has jurisdiction is not always obvious. Getting it wrong means starting over in the correct court.
• Updating the DHS post-order requires NCR registration and system access that self-represented consumers do not have.
What happens if your application fails?
A failed court application does not prevent you from reapplying, but you lose the time, 3 to 6 months, and any court filing and sheriff costs paid. Creditors also become aware that you attempted removal, and some may take action during the period between the failed application and a new one.
NDRC's professional service carries a success rate of up to 95% for qualifying applicants. The fees, properly disclosed in advance and payable only on completion of each stage, are justified by that outcome versus the high DIY failure rate.