FULL-PROOF on the Right of Access to a Lawyer

Ensuring that suspects and accused persons have access to legal assistance without undue delay can have a significant bearing on the course of criminal proceedings, particularly at an early stage. This is one of the key messages highlighted by the European FULL-PROOF project in its latest animation.

A person who has been detained or remanded in custody may be required to make important decisions before having had an opportunity to fully understand their situation and consider the potential consequences. Legal assistance is crucial during the early stages of criminal proceedings. Access to such assistance can therefore help suspects and accused persons make informed decisions and exercise their rights effectively.

Watch the animation to learn more:

The video is accompanied by an infographic summarising the key elements of the right of access to a lawyer and illustrating how this safeguard should operate in practice.

FULL-PROOF is an initiative funded by the European Commission, and we are honoured to be one of its partners. The project aims to ensure the proper conduct of criminal proceedings by strengthening respect for procedural rights.

The work of the FULL-PROOF team focuses in particular on EU standards governing the treatment of suspects and accused persons, especially Directive 2012/13/EU on the right to information, Directive 2016/1919/EU  on the right to legal aid, and Directive 2013/48/EU—the directive on which the animation and accompanying infographic are specifically based.

Stay up to date with FULL-PROOF and visit the project website.