94-649-303 Me. Code R. § 3

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 649-303-3 - APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF LEGAL RESEARCH MATERIALS

1. Any eligible attorney may apply to MCILS in the manner prescribed by the Executive Director for permission to purchase legal research materials that attorney deems necessary to support the representation of a consumer of indigent legal services.

2. The Executive Director may approve the purchase of legal research materials by an eligible attorney if the Executive Director finds that the proposed purchase is reasonably necessary to support the representation of a consumer of indigent legal services.

3. The application for permission to purchase legal research materials shall be made in writing in the manner directed by the Executive Director, which may include a prescribed form and may also include a directive to apply through the MCILS secure website.

4. The Executive Director shall review the application and the grounds therefore and, in the Executive Director's sole discretion, shall either grant the funds applied for, in whole or in part, or deny the application. When granting an application in whole or in part, the Executive Director may condition the expenditure of funds as set forth in MCILS Rule Chapter 301, Fee Schedule and Administrative Procedures for Payment of Court or Commission Assigned Counsel, and other MCILS procedures. The determination of the Executive Director shall be in writing and may be communicated to the applicant by electronic means.

5. Eligible attorneys who wish to be reimbursed for the purchase of legal research materials for which permission has been granted by the Executive Director shall seek reimbursement by providing the following documents in .pdf form:

a. The request upon which the Executive Director acted;

b. The decision of the Executive Director; and

c. Either payment confirmation from the vendor specifying the product purchased and the amount paid, or an invoice and proof of payment.

6. Retroactive requests for reimbursement shall not be granted except in extraordinary circumstances on a showing that for reasons outside of that attorney's control, a timely request could not be made.

7. Purchases made prior to the effective date of this rule shall not be subject to reimbursement.

94-649 C.M.R. ch. 303, § 3