In re Whyte

An ex parte order has been presented to this court for signature, in relation to a proceeding wherein petitioner seeks leave to prosecute as a poor person his application to change his name. The court has refused to determine this matter ex parte, but desires to more fully set forth its views so that there will be no misapprehension concerning the reasons for its action, and so that petitioner may not be prejudiced in any further proceeding.

Within the context of a change of name proceeding, the instant application brings to the fore our growing recognition that poor people are entitled to a…