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