The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) have jointly released a reply aimed at strengthening legal protection for detained suspects and defendants in exercising their right to choose defense lawyers. The reply, adopted at the 1948th meeting of the SPC’s Adjudication Committee on April 28 and the 55th meeting of the SPP’s Procuratorial Committee on May 28, took effect on June 27.

The reply provides legal guarantees for detained suspects and defendants to meet with the defense lawyers hired by their guardians or relatives, regardless of whether they have met with legal aid lawyers or not. This ensures that suspects and defendants can choose their lawyers based on their own intentions.

The reply states that should detained suspects and defendants opt for lawyers appointed by their guardians or relatives, courts and procuratorates are required to promptly notify legal aid agencies to cease legal aid services accordingly. In this way, legal aid resources can be put to better use and the right of suspects and defendants to choose lawyers is protected.

The SPC and the SPP will fully implement the measures announced in this reply, enhancing judicial protection of human rights, ensuring fairness in procedures, and enhancing public confidence in the judicial system.