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.
Delaware Access to Justice Commission subcommittees call for right to counsel
A report by several subcommittees of the Delaware Access to Justice Commission urges recognition of a right to counsel for more civil cases.
US Commission on Civil Rights calls for counsel in fees/fines cases
The US Commission on Civil Rights released a report regarding the need for counsel prior to incarceration for failure to pay fees/fines.
Conference of State Court Administrators urges counsel for all child welfare cases
COSCA has released a new child welfare policy urging all state courts to provide counsel for parents and children in child welfare cases.
ABA resolution calls for right to counsel in immigration cases
ABA Resolution 115, adopted at the 2017 ABA Annual conference, supports a right to counsel in immigration court.
NCCRC Coordinator appears on WNPR’s “Where We Live” program
NCCRC Coordinator John Pollock was on WNPR's "Where We Live" program to discuss the right to counsel in civil cases.
UN report raises need for counsel in all detention cases
A report by the UN Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention discussed the need for counsel whenever a person faces any kind of detention.
Discretionary appointment of counsel for child in arbitrated custody dispute
In a custody arbitration, the arbitrator may appoint counsel for the child at the expense of the parents.
Baltimore Sun turns focus to rise of civil right to counsel housing legislation
An article in the Baltimore Sun looked at bills filed at the city level in NYC, Washington D.C., and elsewhere to provide counsel for tenants.
Legislation (dead): debt collection proceedings
This bill would have, among other things, required appointment of counsel for contempt proceedings related to debt collection.
New NY law requires appointment of counsel for minors seeking to marry
A bill passed in 2017 requires a court to appoint counsel for a seventeen year old seeking judicial permission to marry.
Legislation: guardianships of adults with developmental disabilities
These NY bills would establish a right to counsel for adults with developmental disabilities in guardianship proceedings.
New Nevada law guarantees counsel for children in termination proceedings
A court must appoint counsel for a child in a state-initiated termination proceeding, and may appoint in a private termination.
