Access to Legal Advice for Young Suspects and Remand Prisoners

This article argues that legal advice is particularly important for young suspects and pre-trial remand prisoners. We explore the experience of these two groups in accessing legal advice and consider whether it breaches Article 6(3)(c) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which guarantees the right to consult a lawyer when charged with a criminal offence. We find that, whilst policies may appear compatible on paper, the reality in terms of practice is more problematic. As well as considering the implications of the HRA where contraventions persist, we suggest several reforms which might ensure compliance.