Why Legal Aid Matters for an Effective Defence: New FULL-PROOF Animation

Access to a lawyer matters only if legal assistance can actually be obtained. The third FULL-PROOF animation and accompanying infographic are now available, showing how legal aid helps make the right to a defence effective in practice.

The new material continues the FULL-PROOF series on key procedural rights in criminal proceedings. Following the animations on the right to information and the right of access to a lawyer, this third instalment focuses on legal aid and the circumstances in which the cost of legal assistance may be covered by the state.

Directive (EU) 2016/1919 sets minimum rules on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings, as well as for requested persons in European Arrest Warrant proceedings. In this context, legal aid means state funding of the assistance of a lawyer, helping people who meet the applicable conditions to exercise their right of access to a lawyer.

Although the criteria for receiving legal aid may differ between Member States, Directive (EU) 2016/1919 establishes common minimum rules across the EU. Eligibility may depend on a person’s financial situation, whether legal aid is required in the interests of justice, or both.

The animation also highlights why timing matters: decisions on legal aid should be taken without undue delay, particularly when access to a lawyer is needed before questioning or certain investigative acts. By helping eligible people obtain legal assistance at a crucial stage of proceedings, legal aid supports the effective exercise of the rights of defence and helps ensure that access to a lawyer works in practice, not only in principle.

Watch the third FULL-PROOF animation:

Want to explore the previous animations in the series?

Watch the FULL-PROOF animation on the right to information.
Watch the FULL-PROOF animation on the right of access to a lawyer.

Infographic: Key Takeaways from the Animation

Explore the infographic below to discover the key messages from the animation on the right to legal aid.

Explore the content in your preferred language

The video and infographic are available in Bulgarian, English, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak and Slovenian.

Choose your preferred language below to watch the animation and access the infographic.

Bulgarian Download the infographic	Polish Download the infographic
Portuguese Download the infographic	Romanian Download the infographic
Slovak Download the infographhic	Slovenian Download the infographic