Our Mission – To Promote “Equality of Arms” in Legal Matters

 

The Mile End Legal Clinic’s main purpose is to help people ensure their equal treatment under the law. The Clinic is rooted in the belief that all people should have the ability to enforce their civil rights, resolve legal disputes and defend themselves against criminal charges. Through individual consultations, accompaniment services and public legal education, the Clinic promotes the principle of equality of arms as defined by the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights:

The right of everyone who is party to civil or criminal proceedings to have a reasonable opportunity of presenting his case to the court under conditions which do not place him under a substantial disadvantage vis-à-vis his opponent.

This includes helping those who are not yet party to actual proceedings, but have legal problems.