First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) appeals are the primary forum for challenging Home Office refusals. Independent country expert reports provide the objective, profile-specific evidence tribunals require to assess credibility, risk on return, state protection, and internal relocation.
Reports must comply with Immigration Tribunal Practice Direction 2024 and the Adam Pipe October 2025 guide on expert reports. The default 20-page limit, mandatory report structure, and independence standards apply to all country expert evidence in FTT proceedings.
Early instruction is critical. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for a standard report. Independent Country Expert routes FTT instructions to the appropriate jurisdiction-specific expert across the network.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I instruct a country expert for a First-tier Tribunal appeal?
Instruct as soon as the appeal is lodged and grounds are identified. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for a standard report. Urgent instructions are available for imminent hearings.
What should a country expert report for the FTT contain?
Reports should address country conditions relevant to the claim, state protection analysis, internal relocation feasibility, consistency with current CPINs, and source citations to dated primary material — with clear distinction between assumed facts and independent opinion.