ELIL was founded on Lesvos in 2016. Seven years later, arrival numbers are still high, there are very few legal assistance actors left on the island and people are often called to attend their interview at extremely short notice. In this context, the ELIL Lesvos team remains committed to providing free, independent legal assistance to as many people as possible.
In our latest blog, three of our legal assistants, Gianna, Rosie, Matilda, share their experience of what a day volunteering for ELIL on Lesvos might look like. We invite you to follow them as they go about their work!
ELIL’s legal assistants check the calendar and prepare for the day ahead. Today, they will support in several consultations, conduct research for a family reunification case and assist with a legal information session for people from Sierra Leone.
In the Mytilini office, a legal assistant, a lawyer and an interpreter sit down for a one-on-one consultation with a minor who has survived a harrowing shipwreck. The applicant is in need of legal assistance to navigate the complex legal process as he adjusts to life after the traumatic experience. This consultation represents a critical step towards ensuring fair process and upholding the child’s rights. The legal team listens carefully and takes notes on his situation.
Once the consultation is over, the legal assistants turn their focus to a family reunification case. This process can be complex, requiring extensive research and preparation to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. The goal of the legal team is to demonstrate to the authorities that the applicant and their family member have a valid and important relationship that justifies reunification.
To achieve this, the legal assistants first contact the applicant to request primary evidence, such as passports, marriage certificates or addresses of relatives.
An additional step involves the drafting of a re examination request that outlines the legal information that applies to the case and explains why the relative and the applicant should be reunited. This document provides critical information that helps the authorities understand the urgency and importance of the case, as well as the reasons why the family needs to be together. By assisting the lawyer in following these steps, the legal assistants provide valuable support to families seeking reunification in difficult circumstances.
In the early afternoon, the legal assistants attend a legal info session, which aims to inform refugees on the asylum process and address any questions they may have. These group sessions are run in response to a high demand for legal assistance from new arrivals, who are often assigned interview dates at very short notice. The legal assistants carefully check the attendance and ensure that all applicants are present. The lawyer runs the session with the interpreter and ensures that all questions are addressed.
As the day draws to a close, the legal assistants wrap up their work by collecting any notes taken and sending them to the lawyers. This ensures that all the information gathered throughout the day is shared with the rest of the team and nothing is lost.
No day is the same for a legal assistant, as they help to navigate complex legal processes and to provide vital legal assistance. We are grateful for their dedication and hard work! If you’re interested in joining our team as a legal assistance, please visit our website for more information on how to apply.
ELIL Lesvos and Legal assistants
Legal assistants take detailed notes during consultations and work on research for legal memos for various types of cases, from first instance to family reunification. This involves researching the legal framework, analysing the specific case and assisting in the drafting of a memo that outlines all the information gathered.
The ELIL team on Lesvos includes Greek Asylum Lawyers, interpreters, legal assistants and a Project Officer. Each member of the team plays a vital role ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers on the island receive the legal support they need. Whether it’s conducting regular group legal info sessions, providing one-on-one assistance or working on legal memos, the team is dedicated to helping refugees navigate the complex asylum procedure and understand their rights and obligations.