County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs New Consumer Laws 2010

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LEGAL AID

AB 590 (Chap. 457); adds B&P sections 6159.5 et seq.; amends, repeals, and adds Govt. sections 68085.1 and 70626; adds Govt. section 68650 et seq.

Background: This new law aims to provide improved legal assistance and consumer protection for low-income people. The sponsors of this law argued that expanding representation and consumer protection for low-income people will improve their access to justice and make court calendars run better.

• Improved consumer protection: Many companies misuse the term "legal aid," often placing ads in telephone directories in such a way as to be listed before real legal aid offices. Many consumers are misled into thinking they are dealing with a real legal aid organization. This may result in the consumer paying high fees for poor or non-existent legal services. This new law prohibits persons or organizations that are not bona fide nonprofit organizations from using the term "legal aid" or any confusingly similar name. Under this new law, any legal aid organization that maintains an office in any county in which a potential or actual defendant maintains an office, advertises, or is listed in a telephone directory can obtain an injunction and attorneys’ fees without having to allege or prove actual damage to the plaintiff.
• Improved access to justice: Existing law sets fees of $25 or $30 for various court services, including issuing a writ for the enforcement of an order or judgment, issuing an abstract of judgment, recording or registering any license or certificate, and filing and entering an award under the Workers' Compensation Law. The 2009-10 budget included a $10 increase for such court fees. This new law requires the Judicial Council to use the $10 fee, from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2017, to implement and administer a civil representation pilot program for low-income people. This fully self self-supported program is to be used for legal representation in civil matters involving critical issues, such as domestic violence, child custody and elder abuse. The pilot program is to be implemented on July 11, 2011, funding permitting.

For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within the County) * (213) 974-1452
Web site: dca.lacounty.gov