LOS ANGELES : Ruling Exempts Indigents From Some Lawsuit Fees

Indigent people involved in lawsuits do not have to pay the cost of referees assigned by judges to decide what evidence each side must produce, the state Court of Appeal ruled this week.

Lawyers for the nonprofit Bet Tzedek Legal Services had challenged such costs in a lawsuit by three elderly and indigent women against FHP, a healthmaintenance organization. The suit alleges that FHP used deceptive marketing practices, and referee costs were $200 to $300 an hour.

“This ruling means that poor people will not be denied justice because they cannot afford to pay referees’ fees,” said Bet Tzedek attorney Kurt Eggert.

To avoid providing an “advantage based on wealth,” the ruling said trial judges should either handle the disputes themselves or arrange for referees to work for free.