The Refugee Legal Service

Who are they?

The Refugee Legal Service provides independent and confidential legal advice and services to people applying for asylum in Ireland.  It was established by the Legal Aid Board, an independent statutory body which provides legal services in civil matters.  The Refugee Legal Service also provides Legal aid and advice on immigration and deportation matters, where appropriate.

Who qualifies?

In order to qualify for Legal services from the Refugee Legal Service your income (less certain allowances) must be under €13,000 per annum.  There is a minimum charge of €6 payable for legal advice and if your matter proceeds to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal or the High Court a minimum charge of €35 will be payable for representation.  However, if you have paid your contribution of €6 in advance,  this will be deducted from your representation fee and the balance due will be €29.

These minimum contributions towards Legal Aid are generally only available to those in receipt of Social Welfare payments.  Those in receipt of direct provision from the State (accommodation, meals etc) can apply to the Legal Aid Board to have  some of their contribution waived, at the discretion of the Board.

What services do they provide?

Once a person makes an application for Legal Aid, the following services will be available:

  1. Assistance in Application for Asylum through advice in relation to:
  • Submission of your Application to the Office of the Refugee Applications.
  • Your interview in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.          
  • Any written submissions to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner in support of your application for asylum.
  1. Representation before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
  2. In cases where your refugee status is refused, assistance in the submission of applications pursuant to the Immigration Act, 1999 and any matters arising there from.
  3. Assistance in relation to deportation orders and Judicial Review procedures. 

What are the key conditions?

On becoming a client of the Refugee Legal Service you must at all times ensure the following:

  • The Refugee Legal Service is advised at all times of your current address or any change in address.
  • Attendance at all arranged appointments with your caseworker or solicitor. Strict time limits apply at all stages of the asylum process and failure to adhere to these time limits and attend appointments may result in the Refugee Legal Service discontinuing provision of their service to you.

Complaints

A separate Independent Monitoring Committee has been established to monitor the quality and availability of the legal services being provided by the Board to asylum seekers. They are available to deal with any complaints with regard to the services provided by the Refugee Legal Service. A copy of the complaints procedure for anyone dissatisfied with the Service is available in all Refugee Legal Service offices or from the Board's head office or any law centre.

The contact address for the Independent Monitoring Committee is the following:

Independent Monitoring Committee c/o Legal,  Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Phone : (01) 6167859.

Contact details for refugee legal services offices

Timberlay House, 79/83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2
Freephone: 1800 229222
Phone: (01) 6310800
Fax: (01) 6615011

48/49 North Brunswick Street, Georges Lane, Dublin 7
Freephone: 1800 238343
Phone: (01) 6469600
Fax:  (01) 6710200

Jones Engineering Building, Euro Business Park, Little Island, Cork
Freephone: 1800 202420
Phone: (021) 4510000
Fax: (021) 4510048

Seville House, New Dock Street, Galway
Freephone: 1800 502400
Phone: (091) 562480
Fax: (091) 562599

Montague Court, Montague Street, Dublin 2
Freephone: 1800 503060
Phone: (01) 4776200
Fax: (01) 4760271

FOR PROFESSONAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND LEGAL SERVICES

COLLINS CROWLEY
BOW STREET
DUBLIN 7
Ph: 8174210
Email: info@ccsolr.com