KRS 27A.600: Designation of nonprofit legal services agencies -- Funding -- Promotion of

pro bono legal assistance.

(1) For each judicial district, the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall

designate a nonprofit agency to operate and administer progr ams for the provision

of legal services to indigent clients involved in civil matters within the judicial

district.

(a) This agency shall be the nonprofit legal services organization designated as

eligible to receive funds from the federal Legal Services C orporation for the

provision of civil legal services to the indigent, if one exists. The nonprofit

legal services organization shall receive supplemental funds provided by this

section for each county in the district in which it provides service.

(b) At le ast twelve and one -half percent (12.5%) of any funds appropriated

pursuant to subsection (1)(a) shall be used to promote increased participation

by the private bar in the delivery of legal services to the indigent through pro

bono efforts, which may includ e the operation of intake and referral systems;

the provision of professional education regarding legal matters peculiar to the

indigent; the provision of technical co -counselling assistance to private

attorneys engaged in representing indigent clients in civil matters; and

reimbursement of reasonable costs and expenses incurred by private attorneys

in delivering pro bono legal assistance. Nothing in this subsection shall be

construed as limiting the maximum amount of funds appropriated under this

section which may be used for promotion of pro bono efforts by the private

bar, where the local legal services organization's board of directors deems that

an effective and efficient system of delivering legal assistance to the local

indigent population would requi re the allocation of a sum in excess of twelve

and one-half percent (12.5%) of the funds disbursed pursuant to this section.

The local organization's board of directors shall annually review the

appropriate allocation of funds from this section for the pro motion of pro

bono services by the private bar.

(c) If any county in the Commonwealth is not currently served by a nonprofit

agency eligible to receive funds from the federal Legal Services Corporation,

the Chief Justice shall designate a nonprofit agency to provide legal services

to indigent clients in civil matters within that county.

(2) In designating an agency pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the Chief Justice

shall consult with the Chief Circuit Judge of the judicial district, the president of the

local bar association within the county or the judicial district, and agencies

providing legal services to indigent clients in civil matters within the judicial

district. The designated agency may serve one (1) or more counties within the

judicial district, and designation of a multicounty agency shall be undertaken if

consultations indicate that it would promote efficient use of funds. To receive

designation, an agency shall certify to the Chief Justice that:

(a) It is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

(b) It is an organization within the meaning of Section 501 (c) of the Internal

Revenue Code of 1986; and

(c) All persons participating in delivery of legal services to agency clients provide

the service without any fee to the client for these services.