You're reading: Ukrainian parliament plans to ease access of lawyers to cases

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, plans to legislatively establish the right for defense lawyers to have the access to cases after they submit documents conforming their authorities.

Some 264 out of 386 MPs registered in the parliament’s session hall supported at first reading a draft law on amendments to the Criminal and Procedural Code of Ukraine regarding the right of suspects, accused and defendants to a legal defense.

The draft law envisages amendments to Article 44 of the Criminal and Procedural Code under which, defense lawyers have the right to have access to the case immediately after they submit documents confirming their authorization. According to these amendments, defense lawyers must get access to the case within 24 hours of their application being received. The draft law also stipulates that no investigative or other procedural actions with the participation of suspects, accused and defendants are conducted until a resolution on the access of the defense lawyer to the case is issued.