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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§2996 Congressional Findings and Declaration of Purpose

Title 42 › CHAPTER 34 — ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM › SUBCHAPTER X — LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION › § 2996

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Congress requires equal access to the justice system for people who want to fix wrongs. It says we must keep a strong legal aid program so people who cannot afford lawyers get good help. Helping low-income people with legal problems makes the justice system fairer and can improve their opportunities. For many, legal aid also builds trust in the rule of law. The legal aid program must stay free from political influence. Lawyers who provide this help must be allowed to fully protect their clients while following professional ethics.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §2996

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Congress finds and declares that—
(1)there is a need to provide equal access to the system of justice in our Nation for individuals who seek redress of grievances;
(2)there is a need to provide high quality legal assistance to those who would be otherwise unable to afford adequate legal counsel and to continue the present vital legal services program;
(3)providing legal assistance to those who face an economic barrier to adequate legal counsel will serve best the ends of justice and assist in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with the purposes of this chapter;
(4)for many of our citizens, the availability of legal services has reaffirmed faith in our government of laws;
(5)to preserve its strength, the legal services program must be kept free from the influence of or use by it of political pressures; and
(6)attorneys providing legal assistance must have full freedom to protect the best interests of their clients in keeping with the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Canons of Ethics, and the high standards of the legal profession.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1977—Par. (3). Pub. L. 95–222 inserted provision relating to assistance in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1977 Amendment Pub. L. 95–222, § 17(b), Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1624, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by provisions of this Act other than section 11 and 15 [amending this section and section 2996c, 2996e, 2996f, 2996g, 2996h, 2996i, and 2996j of this title] shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 1977].”

Short Title

This subchapter is known as the “Legal Services Corporation Act”, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2701 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 2996

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102