Legislation & Testimony
Civil Right to Counsel
Testimony at NY Senate Hearing on Future of Civil Legal Services
Justice Program Director, David Udell, testifies at a New York Senate hearing on the future of IOLA and civil legal services, offering recommendations for funding strategies, infrastructure developments and new ways to help low-income individuals access justice.
Authored by: David Udell
– 12/11/09
California Recognizes Civil Right to Counsel and Creates Pilot Program
California approves legislation that creates a pilot, civil right to counsel program, “an unprecedented civil court experiment,” to fund attorneys for low-income people in cases where basic human needs are at stake.
– 10/13/09
State Basic Access Act (CA)
The “State Basic Access Act” is a model for a narrow right to counsel which attaches only to certain high priority basic needs, defined in the Act as shelter, sustenance, safety, health, and child custody.
Authored by: California Commission on Access to Justice
– 03/01/08
NYC Bill to Create Right to Counsel for Seniors in Housing Court
New York City Council Members Rose Mendez and Alan Gerson introduced legislation to establish a right to counsel for low-income seniors facing eviction or foreclosure.
– 11/15/07
State Equal Justice Act (CA)
A task force of the California Commission on Access to Justice developed a draft statute to be used by states considering implementing or expanding the statutory right to counsel.
Authored by: California Commission on Access to Justice
– 11/03/06
ABA Resolution Supports Creation of Right to Counsel in High Stakes Civil Cases
ABA resolution urges federal and state governments to recognize right to counsel in civil cases where “basic human needs are at stake.”
Authored by: American Bar Association
– 08/07/06