59(1)Where a person has been taken into custody or summoned and charged with an offence, he may obtain, before any appearance to the charge, the assistance of duty counsel who shall advise him of his rights and take such steps as the circumstances require to protect his rights, including representing him on an application for remand or adjournment or for bail or on the entering of a plea of guilty and making representations with respect to sentence where a plea of guilty or a conviction is entered.

59(2)Where a person has been convicted of an offence, he may obtain at a stage preparatory to a criminal appeal the assistance of duty counsel in the completion of Forms 19 and 20, in bail applications, and in such other matters as the Provincial Director may require.

59(3)A person is entitled to the assistance of duty counsel notwithstanding that he has not been issued or is ineligible to receive a certificate.

59(4)A person who is detained is entitled to consult with duty counsel by telephone.