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.

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