Arbitrator may appoint attorney for child
While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing
appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a
statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court
decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes
precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is
discretionary).
01/10/2023,
Legislation, Custody Disputes - Children
D.C. recently enated B24-0093, the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act of 2022, which permits the arbitrator of a family law matter to "[a]ppoint an attorney, guardian ad litem, or other representative for a child at the expense of the parties." § 16-5613(12).
If "yes",
the established right to counsel or
discretionary appointment of counsel
is
limited
in some way, including any of: the only authority
is a
lower/intermediate court decision or a city council,
not a high court or state legislature; there
has been
a subsequent case that
has
cast doubt; a statute
is
ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment
is not
for all types of individuals or proceedings
within that category.
discretionary
no
