Civil RTC News
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don’t fit into a neat category.
All about Washington State’s groundbreaking eviction right to counsel
In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Montana guarantees counsel for children, but exact role unclear
A court must appoint counsel for a child in an abuse or termination matter, but the exact role of the attorney is evolving.
Read about the NCCRC’s year in the PJC’s Annual Report
The Public Justice Center, which created/hosts the NCCRC, has released its annual report featuring a description of the NCCRC's 2025 activities.
All about St. Louis’s tenant RTC program
St. Louis has enacted a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.
Study finds NYC’s tenant RTC improves child health, housing stability
A new study from housing researchers finds that NYC's tenant RTC program helps children's health needs while improving housing stability.
KY study: longer cases, which happens w/tenant rep, avoid eviction
A Kentucky study found a positive link between tenant representation, case length, and eviction rates.
All about the right to counsel for evictions in NYC
NYC is the first jurisdiction in the country to establish a right to counsel for low-income tenants in eviction cases, and is looking to expand.
Right to counsel
A court interpreted a Kentucky statute to require counsel for indigent defendants in civil contempt cases.
Pair of federal courts weighs access to representation for children, people with disabilities
Two different federal courts considered how to make access to the courts meaningful for litigants with capacity issues.
Vera report: represented Chicago immigrants 5x more likely to win
A Vera report found Chicago immigrants represented by the Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance were 5x more likely to obtain relief.
U.S. drops to 112th out of 143 countries on access to civil justice
The 2024 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 107th out of 142 countries in the world on access to civil justice.
All about Milwaukee’s universal tenant representation program
Milwaukee County has passed a resolution in support of right to counsel and appropriated sufficient funding to make that happen.
