The First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) is the primary forum for asylum appeals against Home Office refusals. Expert reports provide independent evidence on country conditions, persecution, human rights violations, and return risk that tribunals require to determine appeals fairly.
Expert evidence must comply with tribunal directions on exchange deadlines. Late reports risk refusal under Rule 15 or reduced weight at the tribunal's discretion. Solicitors should instruct experts early in the appeal process — standard turnaround is typically 2 to 3 weeks for a focused report.
FTT expert reports must comply with Immigration Tribunal Practice Direction 2024 (default 20-page limit unless permission granted), the Adam Pipe October 2025 expert report guide, and Ikarian Reefer independence principles. Reports should include a statement of truth, dated source list, and clearly numbered responses to the letter of instruction.
Bundle requirements vary by tribunal centre and judge. Expert reports should be paginated, referenced in the appeal bundle index, and exchanged in accordance with tribunal directions. Rule 15 governs late evidence — experts should flag feasibility immediately when instructions are received close to deadlines.
Related Resources
- Report standards
- Late expert evidence
- How to instruct
- Contact us
- Report types hub
- CPIN & Country Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
When should expert evidence be exchanged in FTT asylum appeals?
Expert reports must comply with tribunal directions on exchange deadlines. Late reports risk refusal under Rule 15. Instruct experts early in the appeal process — standard turnaround is 2–3 weeks.
What format should FTT expert reports follow?
Practice Direction 2024 compliant (20-page default), Adam Pipe 2025 structure, OSCOLA citations, statement of truth, and clearly numbered responses to the letter of instruction.