Krassnoski v. Rosey

BECK, Judge:

The issue is whether in an action under the Protection from Abuse Act an unsuccessful defendant may be ordered to pay counsel fees to a legal services organization which represented plaintiff without charge. We hold that the Protection from Abuse Act authorizes the trial court to assess reasonable counsel fees on the defendant even in cases where plaintiff has been represented free of charge.

The request for counsel fees in this case was made by plaintiff Krassnoski through her counsel, Southern Alleghenys Legal Aid, Inc. in connection with her petition under the Protection from…