The Fair Access to Legal Counsel Act of 2024 would amend federal law to make it easier for low-income people to receive court-appointed lawyers in civil cases. Currently, courts have limited authority to appoint counsel for people who cannot afford lawyers; this bill would require courts to inform people of their right to request a lawyer and to seriously consider appointing one based on factors like the person's ability to understand the case, the complexity of legal issues involved, and whether the other side has a lawyer. The bill particularly emphasizes access to counsel in civil rights cases involving employment discrimination and housing discrimination. Courts would be prohibited from denying requests simply because they haven't yet ruled on preliminary motions and could appoint lawyers for limited purposes, such as helping someone respond to a specific motion. The bill requires the federal courts to report to Congress every two years on how the new counsel appointment process is working, including what types of cases receive lawyers, case outcomes, and any remaining barriers to access for low-income litigants.
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