DLA Piper launches 2025 refugees’ course
Global law firm DLA Piper has again teamed up with the Irish Refugee Council for its ‘Know Your Rights’ programme for refugees and asylum-seekers living in Ireland.
The free eight-week legal-education course begins on 11 September and will be delivered mainly online.
The law firm says that the programme seeks to empower people seeking protection and refugees to better understand and advocate for themselves within the Irish system.
It covers the Irish legal system, employment, housing, healthcare, and access to public services.
Materials translated
After record enrolment of over 600 participants in 2024, the Irish programme has surpassed 1,000 participants since its launch in 2021.
The 2025 programme is now open for registration.
To encourage greater access and participation, this year recruitment materials have been translated into the five most spoken languages among participants; French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Arabic, and Persian.
While all modules will be delivered in English, the translated materials aim to make registration and programme information more accessible to a wider audience.
Ten internships
DLA Piper has been collaborating with Deloitte since 2022 for the Aspire programme, which provides employment opportunities for those who complete the programme.
In 2025, ten internships will be offered through the initiative, giving participants hands-on experience aligned to their skills and qualifications.
DLA Piper is also once again planning to recruit an intern from the programme to support its business-services team, after its first internship in 2024.
Marcus Walsh (legal director and head of pro bono, DLA Piper Ireland), said: “Each year, we see this programme grow in impact, providing legal and practical information to participants, building confidence and supporting new opportunities for people building their lives in Ireland.”