Letter of Instruction
The letter of instruction should set out the expert's duty to the tribunal, the questions to be addressed, assumed facts (clearly distinguished from matters requiring independent analysis), documents enclosed, and the deadline for the report. Practice Direction 2024 specifies mandatory content for expert instructions.
Include the appellant's full profile: nationality, ethnicity, clan, region, political associations, and the specific harm feared. Generic instructions produce generic reports that tribunals give reduced weight.
Documents and Materials
Provide the expert with the Home Office refusal letter, screening interview record, witness statement, any previous country evidence relied upon by the Home Office, relevant CPINs, and country guidance decisions. For fresh claims, include the previous determination and any new material.
Do not withhold adverse material. Experts who discover withheld documents during preparation or cross-examination face serious credibility challenges.
Legal Aid Prior Authority
Legal Aid cases require prior authority from the Legal Aid Agency before instructing an expert. Apply early with a clear scope of work, proposed fee, and justification for why expert evidence is necessary. CRM documentation should record the instruction timeline.
Independent Country Expert provides fee estimates compatible with LAA expert witness rates for standard country condition reports across all major jurisdictions.
Network Routing
Independent Country Expert coordinates instruction across the network — routing Somalia cases to Somalia Expert, Nigeria to Nigeria Expert, Pakistan to Pakistan Country Expert, and multi-country African or South Asian cases to the appropriate regional specialist.
Submit your case details via the contact form specifying country/jurisdiction and expertise needed. We respond within one business day with proposed expert, scope, and timeline.