Memo: Commission welcomes breakthrough on its proposal to guarantee citizens’ rights to access a lawyer and on the right to communicate upon arrest

A European Commission proposal to guarantee the rights of all citizens to be advised by a lawyer when facing criminal proceedings moved a step closer to agreement on 28 May 2013, after a breakthrough in negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

The draft law would mean all suspects – no matter where they are in the European Union – would be guaranteed the right to be advised by a lawyer from the earliest stages of proceedings until their conclusion. Where a suspect is arrested the new rules would ensure that the person has the opportunity to communicate with their family. If they are outside of their country, they would have the right to be in contact with their country’s consulate.