In propria persona is a Latin phrase meaning “for one’s self.” The phrase is used for a person who appears before a court or represents themself in absence of a lawyer. It is synonymous with the term pro se. It must be noted that only individuals are legally allowed to appear in propria persona; even though a corporation is to be treated as a natural person, it is barred from appearing in propria persona. See for example, Osborn v. Bank of US, 22 U.S. 738, wherein it was held that a corporation “must always appear by attorney, either to institute or defend a legal proceeding.It cannot appear in person, and it can only constitute an attorney by written power, under its common seal.”
When a non-lawyer files their own legal papers, that party is expected to write the shorthand, “in pro per” under their name in the heading on the first page.