DLA Piper’s Paris Asylum Clinic reports multiple wins for asylum seekers in France

International law firm, DLA Piper has reported several wins for clients of its Paris office's Asylum Clinic (PAC), with a number of vulnerable individuals being granted refugee status in France in the last year. The PAC, which launched in 2020, focuses on assisting asylum seekers in obtaining refugee status.

Following the first PAC win reported in December 2020, a number of individuals were granted refugee status, including several LGBT+ clients from Syria and Tunisia; two girls from West Africa who were at serious risk of undergoing female genital mutilation; a Palestinian family, expelled from Palestine to Syria in 1948 who were then forced to flee Syria following the 2011 conflict; and several Syrians who fled the country to avoid compulsory military service.

The firm's PAC lawyers work directly with clients to draft strong written applications and prepare for their asylum interviews at the Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés et Apatrides. The PAC receives case referrals primarily from our pro bono partner the International Refugee Assistance Project but also responds to requests from the l'Alliance des Avocats pour les Droits de l'Homme. In France, recognition as a refugee allows an individual to live, work and study in the country on a 10-year residency card. It also provides a pathway to French citizenship.

Forced displacement is a key focus area for the firm's pro bono practice, which delivers over 200,000 hours of pro bono services annually. The pro bono team works to support access to justice, empower individuals to advocate for their rights and facilitate access to resettlement and economic opportunity. In this area, the firm's pro bono lawyers represent clients fleeing their countries for various reasons, with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable groups, including women, children and LGBT+ individuals.

Lara Elborno, Senior Associate and Director of the PAC commented: "The clinic's work is essential in light of the global refugee crisis. In France, obtaining a favourable OFPRA decision remains exceptional. In 2020, the OFPRA awarded refugee protection to asylum seekers in a mere 9.8% of cases. One possible explanation is that the majority of asylum seekers are unaccompanied by lawyers in these proceedings potentially leading to poorer outcomes. Beyond working with our clients to identify vital pieces of evidence, we spend time discussing the OFPRA interview, honing our clients' verbal communication skills and increasing their comfort and confidence with this procedure. We are also present at each client's OFPRA interview."

Claire Donse, pro bono partner at DLA Piper commented: "Forcible displacement creates social, environmental and governance challenges around the world. UNHCR has warned that forced displacement is at record levels, and the COVID-19 pandemic is compounding existing inequities and exacerbating ongoing conflicts. In this context, using our legal skills to support vulnerable clients in navigating the asylum process remains critical."