Festival-goers in Amsterdam who are caught with more than five ecstasy pills or other hard drugs will now have access to legal advice before deciding whether to accept an on-the-spot fine.

The fast-track fines were introduced last year but came in for considerable criticism because youngsters did not realise the consequences of agreeing to accept an instant fine.

They will, for example, have a criminal record and will find it difficult to get a certificate of good behaviour (vog) needed for many different types of job.

Now the public prosecution department in Amsterdam has agreed that people caught with hard drugs will have access to a lawyer at the festival itself. The new system was put into effect last weekend at the X-Qlusive Holland XXL party in Amsterdam’s Arena stadium.

Twelve out of 13 people caught with hard drugs at the Arena event agreed to pay a fine after consulting the lawyer. The same system will also be applied during the Amsterdam Dance Event which kicks off on October 14.

Last year, three people died during the ADE after taking drugs.