Legal aid

Across regions and country operations, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has extensive experience and expertise on legal aid to people affected by displaced to enable them to access their rights and gain protection.

DRC has a longstanding experience and expertise with legal aid programming in the countries, where we work. DRC provides legal aid in contexts where the rule of law is under pressure, and the legal context for the people we support is often complex.

DRC’s legal aid programming is a key component of DRC’s protection work, either as a stand-alone component or integral part of a holistic protection response. Furthermore, legal aid is part of an integrated response with other sectors, e.g., the shelter sector, when it comes to rights around housing.

DRC’s approach to legal aid is two-pronged and consists of legal aid services directly targeting conflict- and displacement affected people - with the purpose of assisting people in claiming and obtaining their rights and accessing services.

The other component is legal aid environment building activities, which aim at creating awareness and addressing gaps and obstacles for the enjoyment of rights. These activities include law and policy engagement, advocacy, strategic litigation, and capacity building of authorities and other stakeholders, among others.