We are very excited to announce our participation in a new University of London Refugee Law Clinic, which will provide pro bono legal advice for refugee clients.
Delivered in partnership with two law firms, the main legal focus will be on preparing and litigating fresh claims for asylum, an area identified as underserviced in the current legal landscape. A successful fresh claim can lead to a grant of refugee status or humanitarian protection.
The clinic is located in the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies building in Russell Square, London. It is expected that students will work in the clinic for around a half day per week for a period of one year (but also virtually, for as long as required in response to Covid-19).
Students will work on live cases in small groups, alongside volunteer lawyers from commercial law firms, and under the direct supervision of the supervising lawyer.
Each year, students from Goldsmiths Law will be selected to work for the clinic alongside students from other Law Schools within the University of London. The Clinic is structured as a direct legal service provider and is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). All work will be supported by a coordinator and advice will be issued on the clinic’s letterhead and under the clinic’s supervising lawyer’s name.
Students will be trained in the relevant law and policy, as well as a range of other areas such as practical skills, ethics and professional responsibilities. They will be involved in working on the various aspects of preparing a fresh claim submission for asylum seekers that will have exhausted their appeal rights.
The students’ work will likely include research, gathering evidence and drafting submissions, as well as interviewing and taking witness statements and reviewing past decision making.
Goldsmiths Law students also have the opportunity to study Immigration Law and participate in the Immigration Law Clinic during their LLB studies, which run in parallel with activities at the Refugee Law Clinic, and will support students preparing to join the latter.
You can read more about the exciting Refugee Law Clinic opportunity here.