UN General Assembly Enacts Global Standards on Access to Counsel

The UN General Assembly has adopted the world’s first international instrument addressing the provision of legal aid —  the new UN Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems. Important provisions include:

• prompt access to legal aid beginning with police custody and continuing through the adjudication process;
• right to be informed about legal aid before any questioning;
• the development of adequately funded and staffed nationwide legal aid systems.

To read more please click the following links:

UN General Assembly Enacts Global Standards on Access to Legal Aid (Open Society Foundations Dec. 20, 2012)
Draft UN Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems