Continuing to make an impact

The University of London Refugee Law Clinic (RLC) was established May 2020 with the aim of providing pro bono legal advice to appeal-rights exhausted asylum seekers who now have fresh evidence relating to their case.

Advocating for the voiceless 

In June 2023, the Clinic held an event to celebrate the achievements of the past year. Supervising Lawyer Frances Trevena reminded attendees that those seeking support from the Clinic are often among the most vulnerable in the community. Every client is acutely aware that they are in the last stage of the asylum process and their mental health is fragile as a result. 

The important work to address the needs of these individuals is made possible through the support of donors and legal volunteers, as well as students studying towards a law qualification. In volunteering for the Clinic, students are given an opportunity to work with legal experts and explore a unique field of law – all while making a real-world impact.  

The Clinic continues to go from strength to strength, and this year obtained funding to cover the cost of a second Supervising Lawyer for one year. This will be key in enabling the Clinic to take on a larger caseload and make an impact on policy as well as individual cases: namely, by doing strategic work around the 2022 Nationality and Borders Act and 2023 Illegal Migration Act. 

The RLC has received over
125 referrals
and has started work on more than
110 cases

33 fresh claims
submitted to the Home Office

10 clients
granted refugee protection

Three granted
another form of leave

Six refused
but granted a right of appeal

One refused asylum
with no right of appeal

13 awaiting decisions
from the Home Office

Training the next generation 

Since opening, the RLC has trained more than 160 University of London students and 140 commercial lawyers through its specialist training programme. Volunteers usually work in groups of three on a case, under the supervision of expert Supervising Lawyers. Volunteers develop and apply key legal skills, including direct client work and rapport building, drafting a range of documents and submissions, taking witness statements, interviewing and legal research.  

The RLC supports students to further develop their skills and gain an independent qualification through the OISC (Office of Immigration Services Commissioner), with around 20 per cent of students from the 2022–2023 intake working towards this goal. 

The RLC encourages law firm volunteers to develop a secondary specialisation in asylum law, through working on a number of clinic cases over time.  

In the words of one student volunteer from Goldsmiths, University of London: “Having such a collaborative environment and being able to work alongside highly experienced solicitors with such passion really transfers onto you; it is a true privilege to be able to learn from their expertise. I feel grateful to be able to interact directly with clients; particularly being able to meet face-to-face is incredibly insightful, and it seems all too rare to have the chance to listen to their stories while not even having graduated university yet.”   

Industry recognition 

The RLC’s work achieved much-deserved industry recognition this year in winning the 2023 LawWorks & Attorney General Student Pro Bono Award for 'Best Contribution by a Law School'. 

RLC manager Susan Reardon-Smith said: “The RLC works to ensure that London-based asylum seekers are treated lawfully and fairly in line with their basic human rights, particularly at a time where legal provision is difficult to access. It also trains and inspires future advocates through the facilitation of pro bono work by legal professionals and provides practical experience for students from 10 universities. It’s fantastic that LawWorks recognised how ground-breaking this project is, and I’d like to thank all our partners and stakeholders for their amazing support.”  

Professor David Cantor, Director of the Refugee Law Initiative, said: “Conflicts and persecutions are currently forcing many people to flee their countries. And yet these same refugees now face increased hostility from politicians and sections of the media in the UK. It is essential that, in this climate, refugees continue to receive essential legal representation to ensure their basic rights. I am absolutely delighted therefore that the hard work of my colleagues and all the clinic partners and volunteers has been acknowledged by this prestigious award.”  

More recently, the RLC were delighted to be 'highly commended' in the 'Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Programme of the Year' category at the Legal Business Awards 2023.