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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 2000a-3. Civil actions for injunctive relief
(a) Persons aggrieved; intervention by Attorney General; legal
representation; commencement of action without payment of fees,
costs, or security
Whenever any person has engaged or there are reasonable grounds
to believe that any person is about to engage in any act or
practice prohibited by section 2000a-2 of this title, a civil
action for preventive relief, including an application for a
permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other
order, may be instituted by the person aggrieved and, upon timely
application, the court may, in its discretion, permit the Attorney
General to intervene in such civil action if he certifies that the
case is of general public importance. Upon application by the
complainant and in such circumstances as the court may deem just,
the court may appoint an attorney for such complainant and may
authorize the commencement of the civil action without the payment
of fees, costs, or security.
(b) Attorney's fees; liability of United States for costs
In any action commenced pursuant to this subchapter, the court,
in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the
United States, a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs,
and the United States shall be liable for costs the same as a
private person.
(c) State or local enforcement proceedings; notification of State
or local authority; stay of Federal proceedings
In the case of an alleged act or practice prohibited by this
subchapter which occurs in a State, or political subdivision of a
State, which has a State or local law prohibiting such act or
practice and establishing or authorizing a State or local authority
to grant or seek relief from such practice or to institute criminal
proceedings with respect thereto upon receiving notice thereof, no
civil action may be brought under subsection (a) of this section
before the expiration of thirty days after written notice of such
alleged act or practice has been given to the appropriate State or
local authority by registered mail or in person, provided that the
court may stay proceedings in such civil action pending the
termination of State or local enforcement proceedings.
(d) References to Community Relations Service to obtain voluntary
compliance; duration of reference; extension of period
In the case of an alleged act or practice prohibited by this
subchapter which occurs in a State, or political subdivision of a
State, which has no State or local law prohibiting such act or
practice, a civil action may be brought under subsection (a) of
this section: Provided, That the court may refer the matter to the
Community Relations Service established by subchapter VIII of this
chapter for as long as the court believes there is a reasonable
possibility of obtaining voluntary compliance, but for not more
than sixty days: Provided further, That upon expiration of such
sixty-day period, the court may extend such period for an
additional period, not to exceed a cumulative total of one hundred
and twenty days, if it believes there then exists a reasonable
possibility of securing voluntary compliance.
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