United Kingdom · First-tier & Upper Tribunal

Independent Country Expert

Independent country evidence · routed to jurisdiction specialists

UK only. UK immigration & asylum tribunals only — for solicitors and Legal Aid practitioners in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

How we route a case

Seven steps for UK solicitors instructing country expert witnesses in asylum and immigration proceedings.

  1. 1

    Identify Jurisdiction and Profile

    Determine the appellant's country of origin and specific asylum profile. This determines which network specialist to route the instruction to and which CPINs are relevant.

  2. 2

    Legal Aid or Privately Funded?

    Confirm funding status. Legal Aid cases require prior authority from the LAA before instruction. Privately funded cases follow agreed fee schedules.

  3. 3

    Apply for LAA Prior Authority (if Legal Aid)

    Apply with expert CV, proposed scope, estimated hours, and fee within LAA rates. Do not instruct before authority is granted.

  4. 4

    Submit Instruction Request

    Use our contact form specifying country/jurisdiction, expertise needed, case type, and funding. We route to the appropriate network specialist within one business day.

  5. 5

    Letter of Instruction

    Provide a detailed letter specifying the expert's duty to the tribunal, questions to address, assumed facts (clearly distinguished), hearing date, and relevant CPINs. Comply with Practice Direction 2024 requirements.

  6. 6

    Provide All Relevant Materials

    Include screening record, asylum interview, refusal letter, witness statement, previous expert reports, and relevant CPINs. Do not withhold adverse material.

  7. 7

    Report Exchange and Oral Evidence

    Confirm tribunal exchange deadlines. Prepare the expert for oral evidence and cross-examination if directed. Ensure consistency between written and oral testimony.

Route a case

Need a specialist for this jurisdiction?

Send a short brief. We route to an independent country expert — UK tribunals only. Reply within one business day.

Route a case

How we route a case