Hearings focus on providing attorneys to poor in civil legal cases

The first of four public hearings on providing attorneys for poor New Yorkers involved in civil legal cases will be held Tuesday in Manhattan.

The hearings are part of an effort spearheaded by state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman to provide new public funding and eliminate impediments blocking low-income people from hiring attorneys.

The state Unified Court System says more than two million people annually must represent themselves in civil court cases involving disputes over issues such as housing and employment. Meanwhile, a key program that funds legal services for the poor has seen its reserves dwindle drastically due to the slow economy, the state says.

The Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York is expected to make recommendations for improving the system to the state Legislature and Gov. David A. Paterson.

Tuesday's hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Appellate Division, 27 Madison Ave., Manhattan.

Other public hearings will be held Wednesday in Rochester, Oct. 5 in Albany and Oct. 7 at the Appellate Division on 45 Monroe Place in Brooklyn.