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The European Union Embraces a Common Approach to Legal Aid
A new directive establishes minimum standards on legal aid, and caps a successful effort to standardize criminal justice procedures across member states.
Legal Access for All: But Who Pays for It?
If the vision of equal access to justice for all is to become a reality, more countries around the world will need a sustainable nationwide system for legal services.
New Guidelines Seek to Humanize Africa’s Justice Systems
A push to reform pretrial detention standards in Africa could change not only policies and practices, but attitudes as well.
Scaling Up on Legal Empowerment
Basic legal services and advice should be available to all. A new Open Society initiative is trying to make that a reality in nine target countries.
Raising the Profile of Pretrial Detention in Africa
Many of the continent’s prison systems are in a state of crisis, burdened with overcrowding and an inability or unwillingness to protect the human rights of prisoners.
Strengthening Pretrial Justice: A Guide to the Effective Use of Indicators
This guide proposes a methodical approach toward developing and deploying empirically based indicators to identify exemplary and problematic pretrial practices.
Pretrial Detention of Juveniles: As Common as It Is Wrong
The extended pretrial detention of juveniles should be a seldom-used measure of last resort, not the sadly common practice it is today.
Nigeria’s Bold Legislative Agenda for Pretrial Justice Reform
A new law on the administration of justice in Nigeria offers an unprecedented opportunity to address fundamental problems with the pretrial process.
A U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Strengthens Rights of Pretrial Detainees
A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in June has reinforced the principle that the authorities must protect prisoners in pretrial detention from the threat of violence.
How Roma Families are Taking Action against Czech School Discrimination
Facing discrimination in the Czech Republic's education system, Roma families in the city of Ostrava are fighting to secure better schooling for their children, one child at a time.
Legal Aid in Poland
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in Poland.
Legal Aid in the Netherlands
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in the Netherlands.
Legal Aid in Italy
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in Italy.
Legal Aid in Hungary
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in Hungary.
Legal Aid in Greece
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in Greece.
Legal Aid in Germany
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in Germany.
Legal Aid in France
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in France.
Legal Aid in Finland
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own lawyer in Finland.
Legal Aid in Belgium
This fact sheet summarizes the legal representation available to detainees and defendants who cannot afford their own defense lawyer in Belgium.
Unequal Assistance: How Criminal Legal Aid Varies across the European Union
As the European Union begins to debate setting minimum standards for the provision of criminal legal aid, the Open Society Justice Initiative has taken a look at what currently happens in 9 different EU countries.