The Resettlement Legal Aid Progect began at Saint Andrew's Refugees Services on 1 September 2008, as the "Iraqi Information Office," offering legal aid, case advocacy, and referrals to relevant service providers for Iraqi refugees in the resettlement process. In 2007, these services originated in the office of Dr. Barbara Harrell-Bond, the first chair of the Forced Migration and Refugee Studies Program at the American University of Cairo. Harrell-Bond trained the staff, who transferred to St. Andrew’s when Harrell-Bond returned to England in August 2008.

Clients of the office report their testimony to the staff and interns who prepare their testimony emphasizing basic aspects of refugee status determination and resettlement criteria and prepare them for their resettlement interviews. Finally, the Office integrates its services with research on the needs and assets of the refugee community in collaboration with the Center for Migration and Refugee Studies at the American University at Cairo.

 

RLAP changed its name in January 2009, as it began expanding its services to the wider refugee community.