Cy pres awards.
When class-action settlements leave residual funds that cannot be distributed to class members, courts may direct them cy pres — to a purpose that serves the class's interests. Civil legal aid is a natural fit.
What cy pres means
The doctrine of cy pres — "as near as possible" — lets a court direct undistributed settlement residuals to an organization whose work approximates the interests of the class. For consumer, housing, and civil-rights matters, funding civil legal aid for low-income Ohioans is often the closest available public benefit.
Designating the Foundation
Attorneys and courts can name the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation as a cy pres recipient. Awards are deployed across the state's five legal aid organizations and access-to-justice programs, extending the reach of the settlement to Ohioans who most need civil legal help.
To discuss a cy pres designation or see model language, visit the live Cy Pres page ↗ or contact the Foundation →.
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