Project Type: Client Intake and Assistance
Fields of Law: Immigration and Refugee Law
Positions Available: 6 students
About the FCJ Refugee Centre
The FCJ Refugee Centre has a mandate to assist refugees and other uprooted people in re-establishing their lives and integrating into Canadian society. With an open-door approach, the Centre offers an integrated model of refugee protection, settlement services and education, including shelter for women and children.
Project Details
The Humanitarian and Compassionate Claims and Appeals Project allows students to assist refugee claimants and non-status people by conducting research to complete Humanitarian and Compassionate Claims or Appeals. By filling out forms, conducting research and working on individual case files, the students will be given the opportunity to assist individuals who have been denied their refugee claim but are unable to return to their own country.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Students will complete legal research on the topics of refugee and immigration law and to assist clients. Students will focus their work assisting clients with completing their Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations applications. Students may also be asked to assist in drafting appeals, which will be finalized and cleared by the lawyer supervisor. The FCJ Centre will provide a case file and all background information to the student in order for them to complete the Humanitarian and Compassionate Claims or Appeals. Student volunteers are not permitted to offer legal advice. Any questions of a legal nature will be referred to the clinic’s staff lawyers for follow-up. The student will be expected to meet weekly with the organization on Zoom to check-in and monitor progress. These meetings are very important and the student needs to coordinate with the organization to decide on which day to set the weekly meetings on.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
Yes, students are required to meet with the organization at the start of placement to discuss expectations and deadlines for the tasks they are working on. Students are expected to complete all of their work by the deadlines set.
If yes, the student(s) must reach out to the lawyer supervisor, draft a work plan, and submit it by email to the Program Coordinator and the lawyer supervisor by November 1st at the latest. Please note that workplans are required for all legal research and writing projects.
What Type Of Training Will the Organization Provide?
Note: All first year PBSC volunteers and all volunteers working on research projects must also attend a PBSC/Thomson Reuters legal research strategies workshop.
The students will participate in a mandatory orientation which will help explain the steps to complete each specific task and how to best apply their skills. Specifically, the training will focus on how to draft appeals and humanitarian and compassionate claims. This training will be presented by the FCJ Centre and the supervising lawyer.
How Many Hours Per Week Will the Student Volunteer(s) Be Expected to Volunteer?
3-5 hours per week.
Will The Student(s) Be Expected To Show Up For Regular Shifts Each Week?
Flexible as students will complete research remotely but will be required to schedule shifts at the start of their placement if application assistance is permitted. However, there is opportunity for on-site shifts if necessary. This will be discussed and determined between the student and the organization. The student will have to meet weekly with the organization on Zoom for a check-in.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
No, however student volunteers may be permitted to attend on- site at a future date subject to provincial health directives and university/faculty directives.
Requirements and Expectations
Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an interest in immigration or refugee law.
Students are expected to be committed to their role as they are dealing with time-sensitive and important matters to the client.