The NGO NOAS noted that the government proposed for the second year in a row a significant cut in the scheme for special legal aid measures, despite an increased need for free legal assistance.
For NOAS, the proposed cut entails a loss of around 30% of the organisation's income. If this continues, the organisation will need to downsize and discontinue parts of its operations. This will have direct consequences for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless people who are dependent on free legal assistance.
At the same item, NOAS received a one-time grant, although it is not sufficient to compensate legal aid funds or ensure continued operation at the current level.
The NGO stressed that it was received an increased number of cases related to temporary protection and complex revocation and termination cases that require considerable resources. NOAS further considered that the introduction of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum will entail extensive regulatory changes and increased complexity in the field of immigration, which further strengthens the need for specialised legal aid.
- Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers | Norsk organisasjon for asylsøkere (7 October, 2026), Nok en gang må rettshjelpen kjempe for tilværelsen [Once again, legal aid has to fight for existence],