Refugee Legal Clinic was initiated by UNHCR and Law Faculty at the University of Belgrade in June 2006. The main idea of this project is to promote an innovative teaching model for law students and, at the same time, develop an important part of the future system of free legal aid for refugees and asylum seekers in Serbia.

The Clinic started working in October 2006. Theoretical part of the project is conducted at the Law Faculty and the students have the opportunity to learn thoroughly about the fundamental international refugee protection, role of the state in that system, as well as about the mandate of UNHCR. An integral part of the theoretical training is to inform the students about the basic principles of work with refugees and asylum seekers, as well as with the procedure of establishing refugee status.

At the UNHCR’s initiative, since February 2007 the law students have been enabled to get acquainted with the legal problems of the refugees and internally displaced persons through practical work in Praxis. Practical part of the project includes both office and field work. Field work involves visits to the displaced accommodated in collective centres, Roma settlements and private accommodation.

Acquiring practical skills and knowledge enables the trainees of the Refugee Legal Clinic to be actively involved in providing the displaced with legal assistance, under surveillance of UNHCR and Praxis’ lawyers dealing with legal protection.