About us
Behind every court case and every reunited family is a community of people who believe justice must be accessible to all. Since 2017, AsyLex has grown from a small volunteer group into a nationwide NGO and international partner in the support for refugee rights. Today, over 200 volunteers and a dedicated office team work together to make legal protection a reality: locally in Switzerland and globally through our partnerships.
A vision born on a Greek island
The story of AsyLex begins not in a courtroom, but on a Greek island. In 2017, while volunteering for an NGO, our founder, Lea Hungerbühler, witnessed firsthand the immense gap between the legal rights of refugees and their ability to access them. She saw a critical need for legal support that was agile, accessible, and could overcome physical and bureaucratic barriers. This inspired a powerful idea: to harness the power of digital technology to deliver expert legal aid directly to those in need.
From this vision, AsyLex was born. What started as a dedicated initiative quickly grew into a dynamic non-profit organization. Today, AsyLex is a collective movement powered by a network of over 200 volunteer legal experts. This growth and our innovative model were recognized in 2022 when AsyLex was awarded the prestigious Prix Caritas, a testament to our profound impact and unwavering commitment to human rights.
Access to justice must not be a privilege
Over 120 million people worldwide are displaced. While laws exist to protect them, this protection often fails in practice. Language barriers, a lack of information, and complex procedures create a gap between a person’s rights and their ability to claim them, leaving many without access to a fair trial.
That is why our model is built to be different. We tackle this challenge directly by providing free, specialized legal advice through our dedicated volunteer teams. By operating digitally, we remove physical and financial barriers, making our services accessible to anyone who needs them. Our work is human-centered, using technology to be more efficient and responsive, ensuring we can provide powerful, high-quality support where it is needed most.
Meet Lea Hungerbühler
Rights only matter if they can be enforced. Our work exists to close the gap between what the law promises and what people actually experience.
Our vision & Value Statement
AsyLex aims to facilitate access to justice for asylum seekers by closing the significant gaps in legal information and representation that prevent refugees from asserting their basic rights.
To address this, AsyLex leverages its unique combination of innovation, legal expertise, and collaborative learning. Innovation is at the heart of its approach – from digital workflows and LegalTech solutions to the strategic use of innovative national and international legal mechanisms.
AsyLex draws on deep expertise, both nationally and internationally, strong partnerships as well as committed volunteers and staff. Mutual learning is institutionalized through AsyLex Academies, workshops, and the active involvement of refugees in the team.
Learn more about us
Meet our team
Our dedicated office team and over 200 volunteers bring legal, linguistic, and lived expertise to every case. Together, we ensure quality, innovation, and impact.
Our partners
From Swiss foundations and universities to international NGOs and top law firms, our partners make access to justice possible: locally and globally.
Support us today
Your contribution can make a difference in providing essential legal support and access to information to those in need.