Bill 118 hr 10403, also known as the "Counsel for In Forma Pauperis Act," aims to make changes to title 28 of the United States Code in relation to providing legal counsel for individuals who are proceeding in forma pauperis, meaning they are unable to afford the costs associated with legal representation.
The bill proposes to expand the availability of legal counsel for individuals who are unable to afford representation by requiring the court to appoint counsel in civil cases where the individual is proceeding in forma pauperis. This would ensure that individuals who are financially disadvantaged have access to legal representation and are able to effectively navigate the legal system.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that appointed counsel are adequately compensated for their services, in order to incentivize qualified attorneys to take on these cases. This would help to address the issue of limited access to legal representation for low-income individuals and ensure that they receive fair and effective representation in court.
Overall, the Counsel for In Forma Pauperis Act seeks to improve access to justice for individuals who are unable to afford legal representation, by expanding the availability of appointed counsel and ensuring that they are adequately compensated for their services.