363 Cases, 120+ Countries: Our Expert Witness Database

This expert witness database review with Afghanistan focus consolidates aggregate findings across 363 casefile-level records with particular attention to Afghan cases. Since August 2021, Afghan asylum cases have formed one of the largest documented categories in the database — with grant rates 88-95% reflecting the well-documented Taliban persecution context.[1]

The database serves practitioners representing Afghan clients — showing what works, what fails, and where investment in expert evidence returns strongest outcomes.

Afghan Cases Composition

Evidence Types Commissioned

Country expert reports — 47 of 48 cases (98%). Psychiatric/PTSD reports — 32 of 48 (67%). Medico-legal reports — 18 of 48 (38%). IAWJ/ARAP/SIV records verification — 15 of 48 (31%). Language expert reports (Dari/Pashto) — 6 of 48 (13%). Age assessment reports — 3 of 48 (6%; UAC cases).

Success by Configuration

Afghanistan Specialists Used

Most frequently commissioned Afghanistan specialists in database.[2]

Dr Antonio Giustozzi (RUSI) — Taliban structure. Dr Michael Semple (Queen's Belfast) — long-term Afghanistan. Dr Thomas Ruttig (AAN co-founder). Kate Clark (AAN Director). Dr Astri Suhrke (CMI Norway).

Afghan Cases by Jurisdiction

Afghan Cases by Procedural Stage

Initial application — 22 cases; ~86% granted at first instance. Appeal (FtT / EOIR / RPD) — 21 cases; ~95% granted at appeal. Further appeal (UT / BIA / RAD) — 5 cases; ~80% granted at further appeal.

Common Rejection Grounds (Afghan Cases)

Credibility findings — most common (pre-August 2021 events sometimes challenged). Insufficient application-specific evidence. Section 8 delay findings (UK). Weak country expert application. US Matter of A-B- PSG restrictions (rare for Afghan cases).

Afghan Cases — Cost Data

Lessons from Afghan Database

1. Country expert essential — 98% of successful cases.
2. Post-August 2021 currency critical.
3. Psychiatric reports strengthen — trauma from evacuation.
4. IAWJ/ARAP/SIV records powerful where available.
5. UN SR Bennett citations universal.
6. YMKA CG framework central for women's cases.
7. Multi-ground pleading standard — PSG + political opinion.

Afghan cases in the practitioner database show ~92% success rate with expert evidence. Country expert reports commissioned in 98% of cases. IAWJ/ARAP/SIV records add substantial weight where available. Post-August 2021 currency and case-specific application decisive.
Expert Witness Database Afghanistan Segment

Conclusion

This expert witness database Afghanistan segment documents 48 cases at ~92% success rate. Country expert essential; multiple report types compound; IAWJ/ARAP/SIV records add weight; post-August 2021 currency decisive. See our companion general database article, Afghan asylum evidence article, and expert witness Afghanistan article.