16
United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems
information material should be supported by visual aids prominently located
in each detention centre;
(f) To request bar or legal associations and other partnership institutions
to establish a roster of lawyers and paralegals to support a comprehensive
legal system for persons detained, arrested, suspected or accused of, or
charged with a criminal offence, in particular at police stations;
(g) To ensure that every person charged with a criminal offence has
adequate time, facilities and technical and financial support, in case he or
she does not have sufficient means, to prepare his or her defence and is able
to consult with his or her lawyer in full confidentiality.
Guideline 5.
Legal aid during court proceedings
45. To guarantee that every person charged with a criminal offence for
which a term of imprisonment or capital punishment may be imposed by a
court of law has access to legal aid in all proceedings at court, including on
appeal and other related proceedings, States should introduce measures:
(a) To ensure that the accused understands the case against him or
her and the possible consequences of the trial;
(b) To ensure that every person charged with a criminal offence has
adequate time, facilities and technical and financial support, in case he or
she does not have sufficient means, to prepare his or her defence and is able
to consult with his or her lawyer in full confidentiality;
(c) To provide representation in any court proceedings by a lawyer
of choice, where appropriate, or by a competent lawyer assigned by the
court or other legal aid authority at no cost when the person does not have
sufficient means to pay and/or where the interests of justice so require;
(d) To ensure that the counsel of the accused is present at all critical
stages of the proceedings. Critical stages are all stages of a criminal
proceeding at which the advice of a lawyer is necessary to ensure the right
of the accused to a fair trial or at which the absence of counsel might
impair the preparation or presentation of a defence;
(e) To request bar or legal associations and other partnership institu‑
tions to establish a roster of lawyers and paralegals to support a compre‑
hensive legal system for persons detained, arrested, suspected or accused of,
or charged with a criminal offence; such support could include, for example,
appearing before the courts on fixed days;