Asylum seekers find refuge through law students

A successful tender has enabled Murdoch law students to continue to work at the forefront of community debate, providing legal advice for people seeking asylum in Australia.

The Southern Communities Advocacy, Legal and Education Service (SCALES) is a community centre staffed by law students who offer free legal advice and in some cases minor assistance offered by solicitors.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs through its Immigration Application Assistance and Advice Service (IAAAS) have funded the SCALES clinic to assist asylum seekers since 1998.

During this time, SCALES has provided immigration advice and assistance in the Perth metro area to people seeking protection visas (refugee status) and also providing general immigration advice to disadvantaged people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

SCALES Director Mary-Anne Kenny, who has a background in international refugee law, said the idea of law students helping asylum seekers stemmed from successful examples in the United States and Canada.

“The students gain general law skills and get very motivated by working in an area that is a human rights’ issue,” she said.

“They experience the effects of government policymaking firsthand and get a new perspective about what refugees go through.

“The students work closely with the Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors, and learn about the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach in providing assistance to this group of clients. It is vital that during the legal process the clients are also able to access professional support from experienced counsellors to deal with the emotional and psychological effects of their previous trauma and with the ongoing impact they will have during the application process.”

Ms Kenny said an Advanced Clinical Program was recently established to offer students a more in-depth experience within the area, which helped fill the increasing demand as SCALES reputation grew in the area. The immigration clinic is the first of its kind in Australia.

Students take on a broad range of cases, and undertake community research connected with immigration.

The program will be funded until June 2002.