Shenzhen Passed Rules Enabling Lawyers to Meet with Detained Criminal Suspects without Investigative Bodies’Permission

• Author: Jingbao

The Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of Shenzhen CCP Municipal Committee and other governmental departments published “the Rules Concerning the Problems Arising from Lawyers Meeting Detained Criminal Suspects and Defendants”. Except in cases involving state secrecy, mafia and corruption, lawyers will no longer need approval from investigative bodies to meet detained criminal suspects. The detention center must arrange for the lawyer and the criminal suspect to meet within 48 hours of request. In addition, lawyers will no longer be subject to restrictions over the number of times and duration of which they meet the suspects in custody.

The Rules include provisions to prevent lawyers from abusing their right to meet with the criminal suspects, but say nothing as to the sanctions against the detention centres for restricting lawyers from exercising their meeting right.

Before the Rules were passed, lawyers could meet detained criminal...