Here is how to find free or affordable legal support in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there are several ways to get free or low-cost legal help. For example, you may have questions about your asylum procedure or need help if you have problems at work or with your home. Read here where you can go for legal help.
You are always entitled to a free lawyer during your asylum procedure
At the start of the asylum procedure, you will be assigned a lawyer. The lawyer is there to support you throughout the process and helps you understand your rights and obligations. Your lawyer provides advice on the legal approach, drafts legal documents and makes sure you are well prepared for interviews with the
These are the legal matters where the asylum lawyer supports you free of charge:
Your asylum procedure
Filing an objection if your asylum application is denied
The asylum lawyer always works with an interpreter so that you can understand each other well.
You can get free legal help from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) for issues related to your status as a refugee
These are the legal issues where VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) can support you with:
Your asylum procedure, together with your lawyer
Applying for family reunification for your family members
If you do not have a place in a reception centre while you are entitled to it
Your integration in the Netherlands
VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) always works with an interpreter so that you can understand each other well.
Het Juridisch Loket provides free legal advice on general matters
Het
Het Juridisch Loket helps all people in the Netherlands with a low income. Because as a refugee you often have no income or a low income during your first years in the Netherlands, as a refugee you can actually always turn to Het Juridisch Loket. You can also find and hire a lawyer yourself if you have a legal dispute. But you have to pay for that.
These are legal issues that Het Juridisch Loket can help you with:
All topics that you face in everyday life
Referrals to lawyers or other legal organisations so you know what you can do.
Het Juridisch Loket also offers assistance in languages other than Dutch. If you prefer help in another language, you can indicate this when you contact Het Juridisch Loket.
You can also get free information and advice at a legal clinic or law clinic
In some municipalities, you can also go to a legal clinic or law clinic for free legal advice and information. Legal clinics and law clinics employ volunteers, often law students. You can check this Dutch-language website here to see if there is a legal or law clinic near you:
If you are dissatisfied with the legal advice you can file a complaint
Are you not satisfied with the advice or support you received? Or do you think you were not treated well? Then you can first discuss this with your lawyer, the employee of VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) or Het Juridisch Loket. Are you unable to solve the problem together? Then you can file your complaint in the following ways.
File an official complaint about your lawyer with The Netherlands Bar Association (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten, NOVA). This page is only available in Dutch. Get help from an interpreter or Dutch-speaking acquaintance to file this complaint.Filing an official complaint with VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) You can file a complaint with VWN in Dutch. Get help from an interpreter or Dutch-speaking acquaintance to file this complaint.