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Report and Recommendations - Scottish Government

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detained suspect must have prompt access to a lawyer even if he/she is notgoing to be questioned at all.6.1.13 This approach is consistent with the draft EU Directive on the Right of Accessto a Lawyer etc. 21 , which provides in Article 3(1) that:“Member States shall ensure that suspects <strong>and</strong> accused persons aregranted access to a lawyer as soon as possible <strong>and</strong> in any event:(a) before the start of any questioning by the police or other lawenforcement authorities;(b) upon carrying out any procedural or evidence gathering act atwhich the person’s presence is required or permitted as a right inaccordance with national law, unless this would prejudice theacquisition of evidence;(c) from the outset of deprivation of liberty”.6.1.14 As currently drafted, the suspect or accused must be allowed to meet thesolicitor <strong>and</strong> the solicitor can be present at any interview, when he/she can askquestions or require clarification <strong>and</strong> make statements 22 . The solicitor isentitled to check the conditions of the place of detention. The Directive mayor may not be agreed in its current form, but it serves as a pointer to the waythe law may develop.6.1.15 The recent decision in Ambrose states that the right of access to a lawyer doesnot only arise at the point when a person has been formally arrested ordetained. It will arise when a suspect has been put in a “sufficiently coercive”position or is “deprived of his liberty of movement”. The Review has some21 2011 COM 326/322 Article 4148

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