‘Our team is a necessary link that completes the chain’

The Legal Support Desk (in Dutch: Desk Juridische Ondersteuning or DJO) is part of the Legal Affairs Department of the IND. It is a national team that works at three locations: The Hague, ’s Hertogenbosch and Zwolle. DJO makes sure that legal processes run smoothly and that legal representatives can fully focus on their work. Right from its formation, Deborah has been with DJO and is now a senior staff member.

Proving added value

DJO was created in 2015 to support legal representatives by taking over certain administrative and light, legal tasks from them. ‘I was there right from the start to help shape this new way of working,’ Deborah proudly starts her story. ‘In the beginning, we still had to figure out how the team could operate best and which tasks exactly we’d be able to take over. Also, we really had to prove that our support added value. By now, it’s impossible to imagine the organisation without us.’ Our team is a necessary link that completes the chain. Without us, a lot of processes would be slower.’

Work behind the scenes

What kind of support does it involve? ‘It can vary a lot,’ Deborah answers. ‘In these situations, the applicants usually have had “no” for an answer already. They’ve filed an appeal and it is up to the legal representatives to defend the decision which has been taken. Behind the scenes, DJO makes sure that they can fully focus on this task. We do this by taking over light legal and administrative tasks from them. For example, I inform the court if an applicant has left for an unknown destination. This way, a hearing will not take place unnecessarily while the person involved is no longer there.

Sometimes, Deborah has to obtain urgent additional information. ‘At a hearing, it may happen that the applicant’s lawyer suddenly submits a marriage certificate to have the decision by the IND be declared ill-founded. This must then be investigated immediately by the Document and Identity Office. I make sure that this is done quickly and correctly. The legal representative does not have to worry about it anymore.’

Versatile and dynamic

Deborah is particularly happy with the versatile and dynamic nature of her job. In addition to administrative support, DJO also gives substantive advice. ‘We often get questions from our partners like  the Aliens Police and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee,’ Deborah explains. ‘Recently, it concerned someone who was found on a train without valid travel document and who wanted to apply for asylum. We then recommend what to do next: does this person have to be detained, sent to the application centre in Ter Apel or is there another solution?’

‘I really think this is really the best part of my job,’ Deborah adds. ‘You never know which question you’ll be asked. From planned hearings to urgent cases with the Aliens Police – I always have to be focused and able to change gears quickly. It’s a job that requires accuracy, cooperation and especially a strong sense of responsibility. Sometimes, the time pressure is considerable. That’s tough, but I rather like it.’

The best team of the year award

Deborah and her team can influence the course of cases positively. She is grateful for this. ‘I work in a small, close team where everyone is prepared to help each other and where we can count on each other. When we receive an urgent case, there’s always someone who says: I’ll take this one. That feels great. We even won a prize in the Legal Affairs Awards of the Legal Affairs Department for the best team of the year.’ Deborah laughs and adds, ‘Deep down inside, that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.’

Contributing  every day

‘I consider returning to the IND after my traineeship one of my best decisions during that time,’ Deborah concludes her story. ‘From a young age, I always wanted to make a difference for people and I believe in the value of careful and just legal proceedings. The IND ensures that the people who need protection will also get it. We support that process, which motivates me. At the end of the day, I know I’ve done something good.’