Dusting Off the Declaratory Judgment Act: A Broad Remedy for Classwide Violations of Federal Law

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Legal services advocates for years were able to enjoin government policies that hurt poor clients; today programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation may neither initiate nor participate in class action litigation. The Declaratory Judgment Act affords advocates an alternative strategy to help clients gain relief from unfair or unconstitutional policies.

By Gary F. Smith and Nu Usaha From July - August 1998