Press Release: Legal aid in criminal proceedings: Council and Parliament reach an agreement

On 30 June 2016, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) confirmed, on behalf of the European Council, the agreement with the European Parliament on the directive on the right to legal aid for citizens suspected or accused of a criminal offence and for those subject to a European arrest warrant.

The proposed directive laid down minimum rules concerning the right to legal aid for suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings who are deprived of liberty, and in certain other situations. It also ensured that legal aid is made available in European arrest warrant proceedings, upon the arrest of the requested person in the executing State.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Fair trials: civil liberties MEPs back new EU rules on presumption of innocence http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-fair-trials-civil-liberties-meps-back-new-eu-rules-on-presumption-of-innocence/

ESO: Background information: EU adopts rules to guarantee legal aid in criminal proceedings http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-adopts-rules-to-guarantee-legal-aid-in-criminal-proceedings/

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