Rights during trial - legal assistance

France

France - Criminal Procedure Code 1959 (2006) EN

TITLE
PRELIMINARY ARTICLE

III
...
He has the right to be informed of charges brought against him and to be legally defended.

BOOK II
TRIAL COURTS

TITLE I
THE ASSIZE COURT

CHAPTER VI
THE HEARING

SECTION II
APPEARANCE OF THE ACCUSED

Article 317
The presence of a defence counsel with the accused is compulsory during the hearing.
If the defence counsel chosen or appointed in accordance with article 274 does not appear, the president appoints a defence counsel ex officio.

Rome Statute

Article 67 Rights of the accused

1. In the determination of any charge, the accused shall be entitled to a public hearing, having regard to the provisions of this Statute, to a fair hearing conducted impartially, and to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:

(d) Subject to article 63, paragraph 2, to be present at the trial, to conduct the defence in person or through legal assistance of the accused's choosing, to be informed, if the accused does not have legal assistance, of this right and to have legal assistance assigned by the Court in any case where the interests of justice so require, and without payment if the accused lacks sufficient means to pay for it;