Civil Right to Counsel Resources

At A Glance

"Civil right to counsel", sometimes called "Civil Gideon", refers to the idea that people who are unable to afford lawyers in legal matters involving basic human needs - such as shelter, sustenance, safety, health, and child custody - should have access to a lawyer at no charge.

The "Gideon" reference is linked to the famous Supreme Court ruling that individuals charged with serious crimes have a right to counsel.  While this right exists in criminal matters, it exists at present only in very limited circumstances in civil matters.  

Commission Activities

• Connecticut: in 2016 the Chief Justice charged Connecticut Access to Justice Commission with studying civil right to counsel
• D.C: housing right to counsel pilot project
• Maryland: Implementing a Civil Right to Counsel in Maryland (report)
• Massachusetts: sponsorship of legislation adopting Article V of the Uniform Probate Code, providing right to counsel to ward in guardianship proceedings
• Massachusetts: Boston Bar Association Civil Right to Counsel Pilot Projects 

Other Resources

• National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel: news, state statutes, articles, other sources.
• Basic Principles of a Civil Right to Counsel, ABA House of Delegates (adopted, 2010)
• Model Act for Implementing a Civil Right to Counsel, ABA House of Delegates (adopted, 2010)
• ABA Resolution Endorsing a Civil Right to Counsel, ABA House of Delegates (adopted, 2006)
• ABA Civil Right to Counsel main page - resources and interactive national map