38 U.S.C. § 7263 - Representation of parties; fee agreements

• Cite as: 38 U.S.C. § 7263

(a) The Secretary shall be represented before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims by the General Counsel of the Department.

(b) Representation of appellants shall be in accordance with the rules of practice prescribed by the Court under section 7264 of this title. In addition to members of the bar admitted to practice before the Court in accordance with such rules of practice, the Court may allow other persons to practice before the Court who meet standards of proficiency prescribed in such rules of practice.

(c) A person who represents an appellant before the Court shall file a copy of any fee agreement between the appellant and that person with the Court at the time the appeal is filed. The Court, on its own motion or the motion of any party, may review such a fee agreement.

(d) In reviewing a fee agreement under subsection (c) of this section or under section 5904(c)(2) of this title, the Court may affirm the finding or order of the Board and may order a reduction in the fee called for in the agreement if it finds that the fee is excessive or unreasonable. An order of the Court under this subsection is final and may not be reviewed in any other court.

Cite as 38 U.S.C. § 7263

Source: Added Pub. L. 100-687, div. A, title III, §301(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4116, §4063; renumbered §7263 and amended Pub. L. 102-40, title IV, §402(b)(1), (d) (1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238, 239; Pub. L. 102-83, §4(a)(3), (4), (b) (1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404, 405; Pub. L. 105-368, title V, §512(a)(1), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3341.