What is meant by “support and assistance” provided by the OPCD?

The OPCD focuses on making available, as far as possible, all legal tools and advice so that defence teams can fully achieve their aims before the Court.
In practical terms, this means that as soon as Counsel for the defence is assigned, he or she may, for example, have to act immediately on a decision of the Chamber, or to respond within deadlines, which are often short, to applications from the Prosecution or applications from victims seeking to participate in the proceedings. In such circumstances, the OPCD can provide Counsel with legal and technical support and advice by identifying the precise articles, rules or regulations applicable, by providing to Counsel any useful case law and developing standard routine applications, thereby helping to expedite proceedings before the Court.