It is in the interests of both Member States and applicants that applicants receive at a very early stage comprehensive information on the procedure to be followed and on their rights and obligations. In addition, it is essential to ensure a correct recognition of international protection needs already at the stage of the administrative procedure by providing good quality information and legal support which leads to more efficient and better quality decision-making. For that purpose, access to legal counselling, assistance and representation should be an integral part of the common procedure for international protection. Applicants should, as soon as possible after an application for international protection has been registered, upon their request, be provided with free legal counselling during the administrative procedure. Furthermore, to ensure the effective protection of the applicant’s rights, particularly the right of defence and the principle of fairness, applicants should, upon their request and subject to conditions set out in this Regulation be provided with free legal assistance and representation in the appeal procedure. It should also be possible for Member States to provide for free legal assistance and representation during the administrative procedure in accordance with national law.