PART II Police Functions

Arrest: access to solicitor

17 Right of accused to have access to solicitor.

1

Where an accused has been arrested on any criminal charge, he shall be entitled immediately upon such arrest —

a

to have intimation sent to a solicitor that his professional assistance is required by the accused, and informing the solicitor—

i

of the place where the person is being detained;

ii

whether the person is to be liberated; and

iii

if the person is not to be liberated, the court to which he is to be taken and the date when he is to be so taken; and

b

to be told what rights there are under—

i

paragraph (a) above;

ii

subsection (2) below; and

iii

section 35(1) and (2) of this Act.

2

The accused and the solicitor shall be entitled to have a private interview before the examination or, as the case may be, first appearance.