Access to justice bodies - Ireland
Northern Irish Human Rights Commission - http://www.nihrc.org
The Northern Ireland Human Rights commission seeks to ensure that the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland are fully and firmly protected in law, policy and practice, which includes monitoring and promoting compliance in Northern Ireland with domestic and international human rights standards. The NIHRC is responsible for co-formulating a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, providing independent specialist advice on human rights matters to the public and for potentially assisting in suitable human rights cases, either by providing assistance or by submitting interventions in a proceedings.
Irish Traveller Movement Legal Unit - http://www.itmtrav.com/Legal_Unit.html
The ITM is a national network of organisations and individuals working within the Traveller Community in a partnership between Travellers and settled people committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society. It is a registered charity which receives both government and private funding. The Legal Unit was set up in 2003 to push forward the objectives of the ITM through legal initiatives. The Unit's overall aim is to promote Travellers' human and legal rights as a minority ethnic group within Irish Society. The Unit provides advice and information to all members of the Traveller community, Traveller organisations and anyone else who is involved in working with the Traveller community.It also helps develop ITM policy and educational programmes as well as engage in strategic litigation.
Law Centre NI - http://www.lawcentreni.org
Law Centre (NI) is a not-for-profit agency working to advance social welfare rights in Northern Ireland. Its main activities are providing advice and casework on referral from our membership, including the undertaking of strategic court work and representation before the social security commissioners, industrial tribunals, immigration appellate authorities and social security tribunals. It also offers training and information aimed primarily at advisers, both new and experienced and produces publications to assist advice agencies in their operation. Its main areas of work are social security, community care, housing, employment, immigration and child support.
Ballymun Community Law Centre - http://www.bclc.ie/
BCLC was established in 2002 on foot of a locally-based campaign to ensure that legal services were provided to people in their own area. The country's second community law centre, it is funded and supported by a range of statutory and non-governmental organisations. BCLC provides legal information, advice and representation in relation to civil cases for people living in the Ballymun area where they do not come under the Civil Legal Aid Act and they cannot afford to instruct a private solicitor. The Centre operates outreach and drop-in advice clinics in the Ballymun area each month. Main areas dealt with include housing, employment, social welfare, consumer, equality, debt and family law. Community legal education and legal training is also provided.
Children's Law Centre (NI) - http://www.childrenslawcentre.org
The Centre compliments existing services provided by the voluntary, community, statutory and legal sector, works in partnership with children and other agencies committed to releasing children's rights and is developing a comprehensive and accessible advice service on children's rights and the law as it relates to children and young people - the 'Chalky' freephone service for children in Northern Ireland at 0808 808 5678, weekdays from 9am to 5:30pm.
Immigrant Council of Ireland - http://www.immigrantcouncil.ie
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) is an independent non-governmental body which seeks to address the emerging needs of immigrants in Ireland. ICI provides free information and advice on immigrants' rights and entitlements and referral services to other appropriate agencies. Issues covered might include work permits, working visas/authorisations, business permits, student visas, tourist/visitors' visas, permission to remain, family reunification, citizenship & residency, regularisation and voluntary return. ICI conducts research in the area of migration, lobbies the government with regard to immigrants' rights and entitlements, and provides training to statutory and non-statutory agencies.
Northside Community Law Centre - http://www.nclc.ie
Ireland's first community law centre was established in 1974 and has played a vital role in the local community since then. It provides information, advice and representation to individuals and groups in Dublin North Central / Dublin North East who otherwise cannot afford to access legal services. It works with the community in education, research and on campaign issues. It focuses in particular on family law, employment and equality law, social welfare, consumer and debt law, wills/inheritance and housing. NCLC provides legal representation in certain cases.
Irish Human Rights Commission - http://www.ihrc.ie
The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to endeavour to ensure that the human rights of all people in the State are fully realised and protected, in law, in policy and in practice. The IHRC monitors the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice in the State relating to the protection of human rights. It also works to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights, offers its expertise in human rights law to the courts as amicus curiae in cases involving human rights issues and takes legal proceedings to vindicate human rights in the State or provides legal assistance to persons in this regard.