Asylum & Immigration
Expert Witness Services

We provide expert witness services across all asylum and immigration case types including protection claims (refugee status, humanitarian protection, Article 3 ECHR), human rights appeals, trafficking victim identification, age-disputed cases, deportation appeals, and nationality applications. Our team covers country expert reports, psychological trauma assessments, medical evidence (Istanbul Protocol), age assessments, credibility evaluations, and language analysis for First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal proceedings.

Standard country expert reports take 3-4 weeks from instruction to delivery. Psychological trauma assessments take 4-6 weeks including client interviews and testing. Medical reports (Istanbul Protocol) typically take 3-4 weeks. Urgent reports for imminent removals or tribunal hearings can be expedited with 1-2 week turnaround where clinically appropriate. We understand the time-sensitive nature of asylum cases and work flexibly to meet tribunal deadlines whilst maintaining thorough, evidence-based assessments.

Yes, our reports are regularly accepted by First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and Upper Tribunal judges nationwide. Our country experts have established credibility with extensive published research and tribunal experience. Psychological and medical reports follow Istanbul Protocol standards recognised by UNHCR and UK courts. Our experts understand their duty to the tribunal and provide independent, evidence-based opinions that assist judges in making fair decisions. We maintain a 95% tribunal acceptance rate.

We accept legal aid rates for eligible asylum and immigration cases. Country expert reports typically range from £800-£1,500 depending on complexity and research required. Psychological trauma assessments range from £1,200-£2,000. Medical reports (Istanbul Protocol) range from £1,000-£1,800. We provide fixed fee quotations at instruction with no hidden costs. For privately funded cases, fees are competitive and include interpreter costs where required. Tribunal attendance is quoted separately. We're committed to access to justice regardless of financial circumstances.

Yes, we arrange professional interpreters for all languages and dialects when required for psychological, medical, or country expert assessments. Our interpreters are experienced in asylum and immigration work, understand trauma-informed approaches, and maintain strict confidentiality. Interpreter costs are included in our fee quotations. For psychological assessments, we ensure interpreters are trained in mental health terminology. We also have multilingual experts who can conduct assessments directly in languages including Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Kurdish, Tigrinya, and others.

Yes, all our experts are experienced in attending First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal hearings to give oral evidence. They are robust under cross-examination from Home Office Presenting Officers whilst maintaining professionalism and objectivity throughout proceedings. Tribunal attendance fees are quoted separately at fixed day rates. We can also attend hearings remotely via video link where tribunals permit. Pre-hearing conferences with instructing solicitors and counsel are available to discuss evidence and tribunal strategy. Our experts' availability for hearings is confirmed at instruction stage.