Equal Access to Justice Act

The Equal Access to Justice Act governs the award of attorney fees and other expenses to parties in proceedings against government agencies, on the premise that the cost of contesting government action should not by itself deter people from doing so. It defines the terms that determine who and what qualifies, and establishes a procedure for claiming and awarding such fees and expenses, along with exceptions in which an award is limited or unavailable. It also provides distinct treatment where a claim is found to have been brought in bad faith or to be frivolous.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.