The Nairobi Code: ANNEX 1
Model Minimum Standards of Qualifications for Legal Advisors for Refugees
Model Minimum Standards of Qualifications for Legal Advisors for Refugees
Qualifications of Legal Adviser:
Subject to any domestic rules to the contrary, a person may be recognized as a legal advisor for refugees if they meet either criteria A or B:
Criteria A:
• Current license issued by the relevant authority of a member state of the United Nations as a lawyer, solicitor, attorney, barrister, counselor-at-law or equivalent professional designation.
Criteria B:
• Undergraduate degree, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or
• is a current student in a supervised legal clinic connected with an accredited University or other legal institution or
• is a person with more than 2 years experience working in refugee matters and
• Training in refugee law (minimum 20 hours)
• Training in interviewing techniques and testimony writing (10 hours)
• Training in ethical responsibilities (2 hours)
Training may consist of independent reading, observation of practitioners, or other types of instruction.
A person who is recognized as meeting either of these criteria may offer the full services of a legal adviser to applicants in refugees.
