Over the years in which BRASS has been associated with RLAP, the dedication of the University staff and students has been amazing! The students’ learning experience has especially been very good. Student volunteers regularly tell me how their participation in RLAP has made them more aware of the difficulties faced by refugees, both before leaving their home country, and then here in the UK. Many of them have eventually pursued a career in immigration law, as they are keen to use their understanding and skills to make a difference in this increasingly sensitive area of law.

Brian Cunningham, BRASS

RLAP was set up in 2013 to respond to cuts in legal aid for Refugee Family Reunion purposes. The aim of the project has always been not only to help refugees bring their families over to the UK though, but also to give student volunteers an insight of what it is like to work as legal professionals. In fact, students themselves sit with the clients, listening to their stories and helping them with the complex process of making these applications. Thus, RLAP gives the students real workplace skills in legal practice which will prove valuable after they have left university.

Fiona Cameron, Refugee Action