A more thorough explanation:

Definition: In forma pauperis is a Latin term that means "in the manner of a pauper." It is a legal term that allows a poor person to bring a lawsuit without having to pay the costs of the suit. However, it is not an automatic right and is subject to the discretion of the court.

Courts can allow plaintiffs to file a lawsuit in forma pauperis under 28 U.S. Code §1915. This is available for both district court claims and appeals. However, prisoners are prohibited from filing in forma pauperis if they had previously filed three unsuccessful in forma pauperis lawsuits that were dismissed for being malicious, frivolous, or failing to state a claim.

For example, if a person cannot afford to pay the court fees and other expenses associated with filing a lawsuit, they may request to proceed in forma pauperis. This is often done by prisoners who do not have the financial means to pay for a lawsuit.

Another example is if a person wants to appeal a court decision but cannot afford the costs associated with the appeal. They may request to proceed in forma pauperis to avoid paying the fees.

These examples illustrate how in forma pauperis allows individuals who cannot afford to pay for a lawsuit to still have access to the legal system.