Bond University has launched a new Immigration Law Clinic at the Faculty of Law.
Staffed by registered migration agents, legal practitioners, academics and Bond Law students, the Clinic will provide free legal advice to vulnerable migrants and refugees who wish to remain in Australia legally.
This could include:
- People seeking asylum in Australia;
- Refugees seeking to sponsor family members to Australia;
- Victims of domestic violence who hold a Temporary Partner visa;
- Vulnerable international students;
- Vulnerable people with questions regarding their visa and visa eligibility.
The Clinic will also be able to provide basic advice on Skilled Independent visas, Skilled Sponsor visas, student visas, graduate visas, partner visas, parent visas and other family visas.
“The Immigration Law system is complex and complicated, particularly for those with limited English, lack of finances or other vulnerabilities,” said migration agent Iracema Brunton who will set up and supervise the new clinic, in coordination with fellow migration agent, Rochelle James.
“Our team of specialist immigration agents and legal representatives, working in partnership with Bond University’s academics and law students, will be able to provide the most up-to-date advice on a range of visas issues and other referrals to relevant community organisations.”
Academic coordinator, Lindsey Stevenson-Graf says that the Clinic will also give students an opportunity to develop their practical lawyering skills.
“The Clinic experience will give our students vital insights into the legal challenges faced by some of our most vulnerable new Australians, as well as allowing them to practice and improve their ‘people skills’ by dealing with real-life clients,” she said.
“There is also an opportunity for our students to take on specific cases, working on legal strategies and finding solutions, under the guidance of the supervising migration agents and qualified lawyers.”
The Immigration Law Clinic at Bond University’s Faculty of Law will operate from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on specific Thursday evenings during Bond’s term calendar – including next Thursday 14 November.
Appointments are required and can be made by emailing [email protected] or by calling +61 7 5595 1070.