Legal Service
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) is the only NGO in the immigration sector with the status of an Independent Law Centre.
The ICI’s legal team currently consists of a solicitor, a legal adviser and a legal information officer who can provide assistance and legal representation to individuals regarding their immigration status. This is a free, but limited, service for particularly complex situations or cases that give rise to specific policy concerns.
Our legal service is available only by referral from our Information and Support Service.
Case selection criteria are based on our strategic litigation policy and include:
capacity
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strategic importance of the case
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merits of the case
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availability of other advice and representation services
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vulnerability of the client
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financial means of the client
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timing of referral
Resourcing constraints mean the legal service is not available in all cases. Specifically, the ICI does not provide legal advice or representation in relation to applications for asylum or subsidiary protection.
The Refugee Legal Service (www.legalaidboard.ie) is available to asylum or subsidiary protection applicants who require a free legal advice service. Other non-governmental organisations can also provide these applicants with information and support, for example, the Irish Refugee Council (www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie) and the Refugee Information Service (www.ris.ie)
Summary of ICI High Court cases and outcomes