Legal  Center (IPC) has been providing free legal aid in Slavonski Brod since 1999 with the support of UNHCR and other donors.  IPC in Slavonski Brod is the only center of its kind in Slavonia providing free lawyers’ services to refugees, returnees and socially disabled local population in our County.

In 2002, IPC separated from International Rescue Committee and registered as a non-governmental and non-profit organization according to Croatian legislation. IPC has accepted certain obligations in the area of human rights under the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe (1999) and the Stabilization and Association Agreement (2001).

More than 8,000 beneficiaries used IPC services since 1998. Until now, IPC  successfully resolved 1,081 court and 1,426 administrative procedures, and its lawyers performed 1,154 court representations in Slavonski Brod, Nova Gradiska, Pozega, Novska, Pakrac, Vukovar, Beli Manastir, Djakovo, Slatina and Daruvar.

What Makes IPC Unique?

Its unique program of free court representation and its highly qualified staff have gained the IPC a significant level of trust amongst beneficiaries and governmental officials alike.

Court Representations

While there is a limited number of other NGOs offering free legal services in the form of filing administrative claims, IPC is the only NGO operating in this region whose legal staff is qualified to represent beneficiaries at courts. Access to free and quality court representations is significant as most of our beneficiaries do not have the means to engage a lawyer. Additionally, these types of cases are unpopular with attorneys because they are time consuming, without large financial gain and some of them are politically sensitive. However, the fact remains that this kind of legal services is still indispensable so that the individuals who were affected by the Domestic War can realize their basic human rights, mainly right to home.

Legal Assistance Program

Since 1999 IPC has assisted over 8,000 beneficiaries in resolving their statutory and property issues.

Return of private properties, reconstruction of damaged houses, material and non-material damage compensation, housing accommodation and citizenship issues, are just few examples of the types of cases IPC is dealing with, and which represent crucial conditions of sustainable return to Republic of Croatia. Positive resolution of numerous court and administrative procedures has a specific impact on bringing new, better laws in Croatia.

IPC lawyers go beyond their call of duty to serve their clients with the highest efficiency and respect.

Cooperation With Other NGOs

At the end of 2002, IPC joined the Regional Association of NGOs for Slavonia and Baranja with headquarters in Osijek. Besides very good cooperation that IPC maintains with other Croatian NGOs dealing with similar issues, IPC has established a very good cooperation with few NGOs from Bosnia-Herzegovina, namely "Vasa Prava" from Sarajevo.

Relationship With Governmental Bodies 

IPC has developed positive relationships with different governmental and judicial bodies, especially with the Ombudsman, which has greatly facilitated its advocacy efforts for protection of basic human rights and for strengthening democratization process in Republic of Croatia. Additionally, IPC staff is actively seeking support at the highest governmental levels regarding different property and statutory rights of our beneficiaries.