Pennsylvania Statutes Title 62 P.S. Poor Persons and Public Welfare § 4022. Legislative findings

(1) There is a need to provide equal access to the system of justice for individuals who seek redress of grievances.

(2) The availability of civil legal services to indigent persons is essential to the due administration of justice.

(3) Due to a reduction in Federal funds, the programs providing legal assistance in civil matters to indigent persons lack resources to adequately meet the needs of these persons, and it is necessary to provide a supplemental funding mechanism to accomplish this purpose.

(4) The funding of legal assistance programs for those who are unable to afford legal counsel will serve the ends of justice and the general welfare of all Pennsylvania citizens.

(5) In current practice, attorneys do not deposit certain funds held in a fiduciary capacity in interest-bearing accounts because insufficient interest would be earned to justify the expense of administration. When pooled, funds which would be unproductive as individual accounts will generate income, the beneficial interest in which may be made available through this act for charitable purposes.

(6) It is the purpose of this act to create a supplemental funding mechanism for providers of civil legal assistance to the indigent in order to ensure effective access to the legal process of all citizens of the Commonwealth to the extent practicable. Nothing in this act shall be construed as affecting or impairing the disciplinary powers, responsibilities or prerogatives of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania with respect to the conduct of attorneys admitted to practice in this Commonwealth.