Justice and Human Rights Greece Project #74088

Legal Assistance for Refugee Mother & two Children

by ASsIST.CH

Project Report | Sep 1, 2026
FINAL REPORT - SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

By Sheila Cross | Team Manager

We are pleased to report on the final successful outcome of this case.

As planned, the court hearing took place on 26 June 2026, with our lawyer representing the client before the court. Following the hearing, the Court reserved its decision. The written judgment was issued and notified to our lawyer on 17 July 2026, confirming a successful outcome. The client was of course informed immediately.

Thanks to ASsIST's lawyer who prepared and presented the urgent court application seeking temporary custody of our client's children. Despite the challenges presented by the loss of important documents at sea during the family's journey to Greece, the court granted the application.

As a result, our client has been awarded temporary custody of her children and is now able to obtain passports and travel documents for them without requiring the consent or signature of their father. Following notification of the judgment, our lawyer met with the client to explain the decision and the practical steps that now need to be taken. The client expressed her sincere gratitude for all the assistance she had received.

The court's decision relates to the urgent interim stage of the proceedings. Should the client decide in the future to seek permanent custody through ordinary court proceedings, this would require a separate legal process and osts were not covered by this appeal. Although no funds were raised through GlobalGiving, the goal of our assistance has been successfully achieved by raising funds from other sources.

This case demonstrates that, with timely legal assistance, complex procedural barriers can be overcome and children's rights can be protected.

Links:

ASsIST.ch webstie

Attachments:

2 Attachments

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May 2, 2026
Progress: Court date scheduled.

By Sheila Cross | Team Manager

Waiting for the day in court - 26 June 2026.

ASsIST's lawyer submttied all required documents to the court in mid-March 2026. Public announcements published in two Greek newspapers in accordance with legal requirements. A court hearing has been scheduled for 26 June 2026, at which the lawyer and client will be present.

To date, the total cost incurred is €726.15, comprising professional legal fees and statutory procedural costs required under Greek law. These include Bar Association contributions, court-related charges, publication of legally required notices, and service of documents.

Supporting documentation for all expenditures is held on file but cannot be shared due to confidentiality requirements.

Refugees involved in these legal proceedings are also facing difficult living situations, as single parents with young children without social contacts or networks, and this applies to all recognised refugees, are required to leave reception facilities as soon as refugee status is notified and this without immediate alternatives and with few or no resources to find housing or even shelter.

By law, the Greek government is required to provide cash assistance to every resident or family in the Closed Controlled Access Centres [or controlled containment facilities or camps]. The amount per single person was Euros 75.00/month at latest payment. Latest payment was in March 2024. This money used to serve people to purchase basic hygiene products and supplement their food supplies. For over 2 years now no payments have been made to CCAC residents, due to 'contractual difficulties' or otherwise stated as the government's failure to pay contractors responsible for disbursing this cash assistance. Hence few refugees have access to resources to find housing and employment. Many refugees, similar to people in every society, are single parents or have care responsibilities for family members: the aged; those with disabilities or those with chronic health problems. All services to meet their basic needs are met by civil society organisations. Few government services are open to refugees unless they have competence in Greek or English.

Now recognised as a refugee, our client with her children has been required to leave government sponsored accommodation. ASsIST is liaising with other essential services to support access to accommodation and basic needs pending the court hearing.

Custody cases are not normally within ASsIST’s mandate in Asylum and Migration law; they fall under Family law and the Administrative Courts.

To date, ASsIST has only accepted one case at a time and this only to support an existing client. It has been necessary to raise funds for each specific case as these costs are not included in our project and grant budgets.

Currently, ASsIST is receiving many requests for this form of legal assistance. Due to the number of recent requests received, we are in discussion with partner organisations that provide accommodation, some material aid as well as social and psychosocial support. It is proposed to develop a joint initiative to raise funds for a project specific to the needs of single parents who must assure the legal custody of their children and who must be safe during the waiting period for a court decision.

We will provide a further update on this case following the court hearing.

Your support is invaluable and we thank you for support this young family.

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