EU adopts rules to guarantee legal aid in criminal proceedings

On 13 October 2016, the Council of the European Union gave its final approval to the directive on the right to legal aid for individuals suspected or accused of a criminal offence and for those subject to a European arrest warrant.

That directive was the last legal text foreseen as part the road map for fortifying procedural rights of suspected or accused citizens in criminal proceedings which had been adopted by the Council in November 2009.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Legal aid in criminal proceedings: Council and Parliament reach an agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-legal-aid-in-criminal-proceedings-council-and-parliament-reach-an-agreement/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/3365 13.10.2016: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-3365_en.htm http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-3365_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: PRESS RELEASE: IP16/3366 13.10.2016 New EU rules guarantee legal aid in criminal proceedings http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-3366_en.htm

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