

Who We Are
The Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants (SCLAID) examines issues relating to the delivery of civil legal services to the poor, and criminal defense services to indigent persons accused of crimes.
News & Activities
Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives: The ABA offers a support service for state access to justice commisions and similar entities, and for state advocates for legal services funding.
- Resource Center Home Page
Civil Standards: The ABA House of Delegates adopted new Standards for civil legal aid programs on August 7, 2006.
- Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid (1 MB PDF)
Civil Right to Counsel: The ABA House of Delegates adopted a resolution urging adoption of a civil right to counsel.
- Civil Right to Counsel Resolution (93 KB PDF)
Principles of a Civil Legal Aid System: The ABA House of Delegates adopted 10 key elements of a civil legal aid system.
- ABA Principles of a State System for the Delivery of Civil Legal Aid (64 KB PDF)
ABA Ethics Opinion on Defender Caseloads: The Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has issued Formal Opinion 06-441: Ethical Obligations of Lawyers Who Represent Indigent Criminal Defendants When Excessive Caseloads Interfere With Competent and Diligent Representation. Click the link to download a free copy of the opinion.
Read Legal Services Now!
- The bimonthy newsletter provides brief updates on legal services developments around the nation.
Gideon's Broken Promise: America's Continuing Quest for Equal Justice
- A Report on the American Bar Association's Hearings on the Right to Counsel in Criminal Proceedings
Please join the ABA Grassroots Action Team!
- Thank you to all ABA advocates for providing strong support for funding for the Legal Services Corporation!
- If you are not yet involved, please join us in this important work to obtain adequate funding for LSC.



