1023.301—Purpose of these rules.
The Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. 504 (called “the Act” in this subpart), provides for the award of attorney fees and other expenses to eligible individuals and entities who are parties to covered proceedings. An eligible party may receive an award when it prevails over an agency, unless the agency's position was substantially justified or special circumstances make an award unjust. These procedures describe the parties eligible for awards and covered Board proceedings. They also explain how to apply for awards and the procedures and standards that the Board will use to make them.