Every day of the week, more than 500 people come to the social space of the Grand-Ramier, In Toulouse. They come here to get a meal, wash their clothes or collect their mail. Sometimes they talk about professional integration. The place is important for all people in a precarious situation in Toulouse, whose number has grown with the Covid-19 crisis.
Recently, they can also consult a lawyer free of charge who will help them on any legal issues they face. “This morning, I received a person from Azerbaijan, who wanted to know how to be able to bring his son to France who is threatened there”, says Maître Juliette Mercier, who held the new office on Wednesday. Sometimes complicated situations, which for some can seem inextricable when you do not master either the legal terms, or sometimes the language.
Bringing justice closer to the people
“In a period of health crisis, where a lot of things are being done remotely or electronically, we have decided to go as close as possible to people in difficulty. They may have questions on over-indebtedness, housing or even, during specific monthly hotlines, on foreigners’ rights. When we have a difficulty, we are not always aware that the law can provide an answer, ”explains Xavier Pavageau, the president of the judicial tribunal, who came to visit this new info-justice point, set up by the Departmental Access Council. to Law (CDAD).
In the same spirit, a partnership was established with Toulouse charities in the spring which also set up hotlines. And in the future, a new House of Justice and Law in the Trois-Cocus district.
“The more complicated the life course, the less it facilitates access to law. If we do not have access, we have no rights, ”insists on her side Julie Escudier, elected to mayor and lawyer by profession. Occasionally, the social workers at the center can help people make their requests: they direct them, most often, to the appropriate structures or associations.
“When it is a question of law, they are directed to the Houses of Justice and Law, but they are far away. And often the question of travel, the metro ticket arises. Staying here solves this problem, ”notes Alexandra Malgouyres, social worker at the Grand-Ramier area. If this is done by appointment, at the last moment, if a place is free, it is possible to take it. Because for some, who live from day to day, it is often difficult to anticipate.
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