Our ServicesThe refugee protection system of Canada may seem daunting to anyone escaping persecution. The paperwork can be overwhelming, the deadlines are very strict and slipping just anywhere can jeopardize your whole case. Although you are not obligated by law to hire a lawyer, attempting to get through this system without one places you at a grave disadvantage.
Why You Need Legal Help
The Immigration and Refugee Board does not make things easy. Anything can go wrong between you filing your first claim, collecting evidence, and preparing to attend hearings. Forgot to change your address and missed a hearing because of it? The claim you have made may be abandoned. Sent out incomplete paperwork? Prepare to be put off or ignored.
Refugee lawyers are familiar with these pitfalls, having watched them over and over. They are aware of the documents that count, how to package evidence, and the areas to be avoided. More to the point, they are aware of the legal norms that the IRB administers when assessing claims.
What Makes a Good Refugee Lawyer
Not all immigration lawyers are well-equipped to handle refugee cases. Refugee law is a specialized field that requires specific expertise. The lawyer you choose must be licensed with their provincial law society and should focus primarily on refugee protection rather than general immigration.
Experience matters enormously in this field. A lawyer who’s handled hundreds of refugee cases will spot potential problems early and know how to address them. They’ll understand country conditions, credibility issues, and the nuances of different types of persecution claims.
Check their credentials through your provincial law society’s website. This tells you whether they’re authorized to practice and if they’ve faced any disciplinary actions. Don’t skip this step – unlicensed consultants cannot represent you effectively and may actually harm your case.
Finding the Right Lawyer
Start with legal aid if you qualify. Several provinces offer legal aid for refugee matters, and these programs work with experienced lawyers who understand the system. The cost also differs according to province, though in the event that you qualify, it provides you with quality representation without necessarily killing your budget.
Refugee lawyers in your province can be found using a referral service by provincial law societies. Most of them will provide preliminary consultations at a lower fee, and this will enable you to determine whether a specific lawyer is the right fit for your case or not.
There are also listings of recommended lawyers in community organizations and settlement agencies. These organizations come into contact with refugee claimants frequently and are very knowledgeable about which lawyers get results. They can also warn you about lawyers to avoid.
The Consultation Process
A majority of lawyers provide free consultations to discuss your case. You should be ready with some questions concerning their experience, success rates, and how they would pursue your case. Do not be misled by lawyers offering certain results: refugee law has too many variables to claim something straightaway.
Inquire about their caseload as well as availability. Refugee cases tend to be some of the most urgent, and you must have a lawyer who can be responsive when problems crop up. Ask them how they interact with their clients and what access you would have towards them during the process.
Find out the costs in advance. Depending on the lawyer, the fees are either charged by the hour or at a flat rate. Ensure that you know what is included and what may be additional. Additional charges may accumulate quickly.
Legal Aid and Costs
In Canada, the extent of legal aid is quite different. In some provinces, all refugee claimants are covered by comprehensive services, whereas in other provinces, the services are limited. You may still receive some support or assistance with certain elements of your situation, even though you are not entitled to full representation.
The fee charged by private lawyers also varies significantly according to experience and location. Lawyers in Toronto and Vancouver, in general, command higher fees than those in other smaller cities. There are lawyers who also provide pay-as-you-go plans or offer a sliding fee scale depending on how much you can pay.
It is essential to keep in mind that the lowest cost does not imply the best bargain. A more experienced and more expensive lawyer who will win your case is more valuable than a cheaper lawyer who will lose.
Red Flags to Watch For
Stay away from those lawyers who give you unrealistic expectations of the outcome of your case. The refugee system entails arduous legal and factual decisions that no counsel can forego. Likewise, avoid lawyers who pressure you into signing contracts on the spot and do not allow time to analyze all possibilities.
Poor communication is another warning sign. If a lawyer takes days to return calls during your initial consultation, don’t expect better service once you’ve hired them. Refugee cases often involve time-sensitive issues that require prompt responses.
Be cautious of lawyers who seem unfamiliar with current refugee law or who can’t answer basic questions about the process. This field changes frequently, and your lawyer needs to stay current with legal developments.
Making Your Decision
Once you have met with several lawyers, compare them on the number of years of experience, communication style, and prices. Look at what the lawyer has done with similar cases to yours and whether you would be comfortable trusting them.
The appropriate lawyer must show significant experience in refugee law, have a sincere interest in your case and clarify realistic evaluations of the merits and weaknesses of your claim. They ought to make the process straightforward and make you aware of what is going on.
Your decision on legal representation can either keep you safe in Canada or push you back to persecution.
Conclusion
Hiring a qualified refugee lawyer isn’t just about meeting legal requirements – it’s about protecting your future in Canada. The stakes are too high to navigate this system without proper legal guidance.
ImmigrationWay has spent over two decades helping refugees build successful protection claims in Canada. Led by Ronen Kurzfeld, a Toronto-based lawyer with extensive experience in refugee law, our firm understands the challenges facing protection claimants and knows how to overcome them. Our track record speaks for itself: successful outcomes built on thorough preparation, skilled advocacy, and genuine commitment to our clients’ safety and security in Canada.
