The CRIDE project will evaluate the shortcomings of access to effective legal defence within the European Union, focusing on vulnerable groups. INOVA+ will ensure that the project’s methodology, conclusions, and recommendations are adapted, validated, and adopted within the Portuguese legal context.
The CRIDE project, entitled ‘ The Effectiveness of the Suspected or Accused of a CRIme Persons Right of DEfence‘, is co-funded by the European Union under its Justice programme (JUST). It began in December 2025 and aims to address persistent challenges relating to individuals’ access to effective legal defence within the EU.
While the right to a defence lawyer is widely recognised as essential for fair and democratic legal systems, its implementation varies significantly across EU Member States, especially for vulnerable groups such as minors, migrants, refugees, and individuals in pre-trial detention. The CRIDE project therefore aims to address these shortcomings by presenting concrete solutions to overcome them.
The first steps of the project
The project will assess the barriers to effective legal representation and identify specific needs, with a particular focus on gender equality and non-discrimination. This assessment will be based on interdisciplinary and transnational research drawing on legal analysis, case studies, surveys and interviews.
To this end, CRIDE will conduct a comparative legal study across several EU Member States, including Portugal, to identify disparities in the application of the law regarding access to legal defence. By evaluating how current practices align with EU values and directives, the project will propose systemic reforms to contribute to the development of future legislation and case law.
The role of INOVA+ and the CRIDE consortium
As a strategic partner, INOVA+ will contribute its extensive experience in innovation management, project delivery, and research dissemination. The company will be responsible for developing the CRIDE Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication Plan, and for conducting the Portuguese case study and analysis. INOVA+ will also ensure that the project’s results reach policymakers, justice sector stakeholders, and relevant professional networks across the EU.
The CRIDE project is being implemented by a highly qualified consortium led by the Faculty of Law at Vilnius University and comprising experienced partners such as the Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) and the Faculty of Law at the University of Siena (Italy).
The CRIDE consortium adopts a practice-oriented research model, working closely with academic and professional communities. To ensure the results achieved by CRIDE are relevant and applicable, a continuous consultation process will be maintained with various key stakeholders, including legal practitioners (such as defence lawyers, prosecutors and judges), human rights and gender equality experts, and individuals involved in legal proceedings (such as suspects, accused persons and defendants). CRIDE hopes that, in this way, the proposed solutions will align with the real needs of stakeholders and effectively contribute to improving practices within the legal system.
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