Dent v. Simmons

ALPERT, Judge.

Today we reaffirm the principle that “[fjree access to the courts is an important and valuable aspect of an effective system of jurisprudence, and a party possessing a colorable claim must be allowed to assert it without fear of suffering a penalty more severe than that typically imposed on defeated parties.” Young v. Redman, 55 Cal.App.3d 827, 838, 128 Cal.Rptr. 86 (1976) (emphasis added). This is an appeal by Edward A. Dent, appellant, from an award of attorney’s fees against him in favor of Luiz R.S. Simmons, Esquire, the appellee. The judgment of the Circuit Court for…