Cy Pres Awards Can Help Make Equal Access to Justice a Reality
Thursday, October 30, 2008
- Organization: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
- Source: Pennsylvania
Members of the Bench and Bar can help make access to justice a reality for thousands of low-income Pennsylvanians by proposing that residual or unclaimed funds be designated to support equal access to justice.
The cy pres doctrine enables funds to be distributed to the "next best" use. It allows for the reallocation of class residual funds, estates or unclaimed trusts for a purpose as near as possible to the interests of the class or intended use of estate or trust. Cy Pres Awards have proven to be one of the best means currently available to help bridge the justice gap in our society.
The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) is an ideal place to direct cy pres awards. PLAN is the state's coordinated system of organizations providing civil legal aid for those with nowhere else to turn. PLAN offers a continuum of critically needed legal information, advice and representation to low-income individuals and families who face urgent civil legal problems. These problems affect basic needs such as food, shelter, employment, consumer issues, health care, and family safety.
In today's society, justice is not always easily achieved, it must be pursued. The need for civil legal aid by Pennsylvania's poorest and most vulnerable families exceeds the current resources available to provide legal services. Cy pres awards from class action residual funds and estates or trusts, where the original bequest cannot be honored, can be directed to the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. These awards will have
a major impact on the lives of legal aid clients.
For more information on cy pres awards to the PA Legal Aid Network, view the brochure at the link below or call Christine Kirby at PLAN, Inc. at (412) 586-6137.
