Carlton South, Victoria5 immigration law lawyers near you

In order to practise, a lawyer specialising in foreigners' rights must have passed the certificate of aptitude for the profession of lawyer (CAPA) and be registered with a bar association. After four years of practice and a knowledge test, a general lawyer can apply for a specialisation. In the case of foreigners' law, this is the "personal law" specialisation. Also, as not all clients are native speakers of French, it is not uncommon to have recourse to an interpreter during an appointment with a lawyer. Even if it is not compulsory, it is advisable for a lawyer specialising in foreigners' law to master one or more foreign languages.

Most often, foreigners' lawyers are called upon to issue visas or residence permits, naturalization and family reunification applications or changes in status. Sometimes, a lawyer may be called upon to defend more delicate situations such as challenging an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), a refusal of an application for the right of asylum, putting an end to administrative detention, defending an infringement of fundamental rights, etc.

The administrative order in France is very difficult to understand and can be very punitive if one does not respect the procedure or the deadlines. For example, an OQTF allows only 30 days to leave the territory by one's own means, and the time limits for appeal are very short. For an expired visa, the time limit is only 15 days, as is the case for a rejected asylum application or irregular entry into France. For an illegal job, a refused application for a residence permit or a threat to public order with entry into the country dating back less than three months, this time limit is 30 days. This is why it is important to call on the services of a lawyer specialising in immigration law. He or she can help you to make an ex gratia appeal or a hierarchical appeal. The same applies to a naturalisation application. At first sight, a simple administrative formality, the naturalisation application can turn into a real ordeal if the file is badly managed. In Carlton South, lawyers registered with the bar provide legal advice, accompany and plead on behalf of their clients to assert their rights.

To find a foreigners' lawyer competent to resolve your dispute, you can consult the directory of the Carlton South bar or refer to professional directories. Alternatively, you can seek advice from a foreigners' aid association, which will help you prepare the documents for the consultation with a lawyer.

It is possible to contact an immigration lawyer for simple legal advice, a written consultation or even an appeal to the administrative courts even if you are a foreigner. The important thing is not to delay too long, because anything that concerns the refusal of a renewal of a residence permit, a work visa or even a residence card can hinder your quality of life, but also lead to an obligation to leave the territory. For issues such as naturalisation, simple or full adoption or family reunification, it is better to ask for help from a lawyer from the beginning of the procedure. Another typical case is the excess of power of administrations. For some procedures, you have to make an appointment online at the prefecture. In some cases, however, applicants are confronted with the fact that there is no free slot, and this over a long enough period of time to hinder the progress of their case. When they go to the prefecture in person, they are sent back to the online appointment system. A vicious circle that often ends up in court.

The fees of a lawyer specialising in foreigners' rights depend on the reputation of the lawyer and his firm, his geographical location and the complexity of the case. On average, in Carlton South, you should expect to pay €150 for a consultation. These costs can be significant, especially if the situation is urgent. However, there is assistance available. Legal aid is reserved for French nationals who do not exceed a certain income ceiling. However, there are exceptions for foreigners in an irregular situation: minors, witnesses and anyone benefiting from a protection order, or subject to a procedure based on prior recognition of guilt, people who have been refused residence with an OQTF, foreigners "worthy of interest", etc. As for asylum seekers, they can request legal aid from the National Court of Asylum (CNDA).

- Rule 1: Choose a lawyer with experience in administrative law. - Rule 2: At the first meeting, remember to sign the fee agreement in order to anticipate costs, if there are legal proceedings. - Rule 3: A lawyer must be available, responsive, mobile - cases involving foreigners' rights often require physical travel - and respect professional secrecy; you must feel confident with him or her. You should know that if you are no longer satisfied with your relationship with a lawyer, you can always call on another lawyer.

What are the fees offered by the lawyer and what are the payment terms?
Has the lawyer dealt with similar situations in his career?
What strategy does he/she intend to use to regularise the situation: administrative appeal, informal appeal, etc.?