Free legal aid in immigration cases

Oppdatert 22.02.2013 | Emner: Råd og tips

Innhold

1. Why are we doing this
2. Which cases will we select?
3. When can you apply?
4. Who can apply?
5. How do you apply?
6. How much do you pay?
7. No right of appeal
8. Your lawyer will be contacted
9. Do you have any questions?

This offer applies to:

• Asylum seekers
• Immigrants
• Others with cases involving immigration law

Why are we doing this

This service was established by the Norwegian Bar Association to improve legal safeguards for asylum seekers and other foreign nationals in Norway. A group of lawyers will conduct the cases before the courts on a voluntary basis.

Which cases will we select?

It is important to note that not all of the applications to the Norwegian Bar Association for free legal aid will be granted.

The Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group for immigration law will primarily select cases that involve questions of principle. It is also a requirement that the cases have a reasonable chance of succeeding in the legal system.

When can you apply?

You can apply for free legal aid if:

• your application for residence has been finally decided by the immigration authorities,
• or you have been denied leave to have your departure postponed,
• or you have in some other way a case in relation to the immigration authorities that affects your legal position in Norway

Please note that we do not consider applications during the holiday month of July.

Who can apply?

Individuals can apply on their own behalf. In addition, lawyers and organisations acting on behalf of foreign nationals can apply for aid from the Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group.

How do you apply?

The application must in writing. It can be written in either Norwegian or English.

The application must contain:

1. A completely filled in and signed Standard Declaration for the Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group. You can download this form here (see below).
2. Decisions from the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
3. Information about any departure deadline.
4. If possible, please also include your asylum application interview.

The application must be sent to:
Advokatforeningens Aksjons- og prosedyregruppe
Kristian Augusts gate 9
0164 Oslo

How much do you pay?

The lawyers in the Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group will work for you free of charge. You may however be ordered to pay other expenses that arise in connection with your court case, e.g.:

• Standard court fees
• Expenses for experts
• Other secondary expenses, e.g. for photocopying

Should a judgement award your opposite party (the State) legal costs, you may also be ordered to pay these.

Similarly, your opposite party (the State) may be ordered to pay your legal costs. In such cases the lawyer who has worked for you will be able to claim payment of his/her fees.

No right of appeal

The Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group cannot follow up all those who apply for aid. The cases selected will be those that involve questions of principle and that have a reasonable chance of succeeding.

There is no opportunity to appeal if an application to the Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group is refused.

Your lawyer will be contacted

If you have already received help from a lawyer before contacting the Norwegian Bar Association’s Action and Procedure Group, we will contact the lawyer to clarify the lawyer’s brief.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions, please email us at:

prosedyregruppe@advokatforeningen.no   

• Application Form and orientation for the Norwegian Bar Association`s Action and Proceedure Group