'Sovereign citizens' in the courts

Mark Douglas, a New South Wales Magistrate with a keen insight into the 'sovereign citizen' phenomenon, discusses its troubling rise in local courts. He explores how these self-represented litigants challenge traditional legal norms with pseudo-legal arguments. The conversation highlights the chaos they cause within the court system and the significant strain on magistrates. Douglas also addresses the commercialization of these movements, warning about the risks for individuals misled by dubious legal claims, especially amid the pandemic's unique challenges.