The UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has passed a ground-breaking resolution on “access to legal aid in criminal justice systems” at its recent session in Vienna, the result of several years of work by groups including the Justice Initiative. The commission adopted a set of “principles and guidelines” designed to ensure that access to legal information, advice and assistance is available to all through the provision of legal aid. Kersty McCourt of the Justice Initiative said the move will help realize rights for the poor and marginalized, and reinforce efforts to create fair, humane and efficient criminal justice systems.