Legal Aid Watch

                                                                      

The project “Legal Aid Watch” aims to promote the institution of legal aid in Greece and in particular to collect research data on its practical application. The aim of the project is to record the problems and highlight best practices, to advocate with the relevant bodies and to provide recommendations for improvement. The program will focus on research and analysis of issues regarding legal aid services, in particular the issues that arise when the defendant is charged with criminal charges and has no financial means to pay a lawyer of his choice. In these cases the judicial authorities appoint an attorney ex officio for the first and the second instance.

3 experienced lawyers will record the court proceeding in cases where legal aid is implemented by being present in the courtroom from the beginning to the end. Τhe publication of statistical data and assessment texts on the practices, challenges and positive changes that have been recorded will follow through the development of an online website,.

Additional actions concern the organization of focus groups between legal aid advocates, judges and prosecutors in order to record their views, the organization of events and the writing of a practical guide.

Furthermore, given the Directive (EU) 2016/1919 on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings and for requested persons in European arrest warrant, the project will monitor the process and measures that will be taken and will contribute to the formulation of proposals for proper transposition. After the completion of the project, a detailed proposal for the reforming of the institution will be submitted.

The project is being implemented under the Active citizens fund by the Hellenic League for Human Rights.

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 12m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The program aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with Solidarity Now.