The Migration Law Clinic is an initiative of the Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
For over ten years, the Clinic has provided external clients, including practising lawyers and non-governmental organisations, with high-quality, independent legal advice on complex issues in the field of international and European migration law. This includes third-party interventions and expert opinions for cases pending before the ECtHR and the CJEU.
The Clinic started with four students in October 2013. Now, 10–15 students of various nationalities participate in the Clinic every year.
The goal of the Clinic is twofold. Firstly, the Clinic offers talented students the opportunity to develop their legal skills. Under the supervision of researchers of the Migration Law Section, the students will conduct research and write legal advice on a professional level. The Migration Law Clinic is offered as a master course awarded with 6 EC credits for each semester. For further information see ‘Course description’ and ‘Application’ under the tab ‘For students’.
Secondly, the Clinic seeks to provide high-quality and independent legal advice on complex issues in the field of European migration law to external clients such as (practicing) lawyers and non-governmental organisations.
The Clinic does not accept individual cases and it does not act as a party in migration law proceedings.
Student Experiences
“For me, the Migration Law Clinic has been very useful. Working together in a group is not something that happens often during a study in law. The Clinic offers that possibility, and learns you to cooperate, to appreciate the input of your team members, to see the deficiencies and downsides of your own work, and to work towards a consistent piece of team writing. It also brought me a lot of fun and a strong bond with my fellow students.” - Ralph Groeneveld (student 2017-2018)
“When I came to Amsterdam for a year during my master in Lund, I saw the Migration Law Clinic as a very special opportunity. Where do you get the chance to work on real cases as a student? It is very motivating and it makes your study truely relevant.” - Karin Åberg (student 2016-2017)
“Participating in the Clinic meant that I was able to gain invaluable experience legal research with the support of my fellow students and respected academics. Working on real cases brought the academic content of the IMRL programme into focus, and encouraged me to stay motivated throughout the Masters.” - Kate Connelly (student 2016-2017)