363 Cases, 120+ Countries: Our Expert Witness Database

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Our expert witness database covers 363 asylum cases across more than 50 countries. Lawyers, judges and applicants use it every week. The database stores expert reports, country analyses and risk assessments. It also tracks case outcomes. This deep record helps every new case build on tested evidence. In this guide, we explain what the database contains, who uses it, and how it can support your asylum claim in 2026.[1]

Each case in the database has been written by a country expert with field experience. Moreover, every report goes through peer review before release. As a result, the evidence base is both deep and reliable. For lawyers building a new case, this means faster research, stronger arguments and better outcomes. To learn more about how reports work in practice, see our asylum guide.

What the Expert Witness Database Contains

The database is more than a list of names. It is a working library. Each entry holds the full expert report, the country background, the risk assessment, and the outcome of the case. Therefore lawyers can see not only what was written, but also how the tribunal received it. This makes the database useful for both research and case strategy.[2]

Every case file follows the same structure. First, there is a short summary of the applicant's profile and the legal issue. Next, the country expert sets out the relevant background. After that, the report links the country evidence to the personal risk. Finally, a short note records the outcome, such as grant of refugee status, humanitarian protection, or remittal. Consequently, even a quick scan tells the user what worked and why.

Types of Documents Stored

• Expert reports: Full country expert opinions written for tribunals.
• Country analyses: Thematic notes on issues such as torture, blood feud, or LGBTQ+ risk.
• Individual risk assessments: Profile-based risk reports tailored to one applicant.
• Case outcomes: Short records of the tribunal decision, with date and reference.
• Source archives: Copies of news reports, NGO reports, and academic papers cited in the file.

Coverage by Region: Where Our Cases Come From

Our cases come from every region of the world. However, some regions appear more often than others. The chart below shows the share of cases by region. Asia and the Middle East lead, because conflict and persecution remain high in those areas. Africa follows, with a strong focus on the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. Europe and Latin America are smaller but growing fast.[3]

Within each region, some countries appear far more often. For example, Afghanistan, Iran and Syria account for nearly half of the Middle East and Asia totals. In Africa, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia are the most frequent. These patterns reflect global conflict trends. They also help us decide where to recruit new experts. To explore conditions in specific countries, see our country reports.

Top 10 Countries by Number of Reports

The table below lists the top ten countries in our expert witness database by report count. Together, these ten countries account for around 70% of all cases. As a result, our experts in these regions have very deep case knowledge. They know the recent legal trends and they know what tribunals expect.[4]

How the Database Helps New Cases

A new case never starts from zero. The database gives lawyers a head start in three big ways. First, it helps with pattern recognition. When an expert has written about a similar profile before, they can spot the legal issues faster. Second, it provides an established evidence base. Many country sources are already collected, dated, and assessed. Third, it offers a consistent methodology. As a result, every report follows the same structure that tribunals already trust.[5]

For example, if a new case involves an Afghan woman fleeing Taliban control, the expert can draw on dozens of similar cases. They know which sources are accepted by the UK Upper Tribunal. They also know which arguments have failed. Therefore the new report can avoid old mistakes. To explore wider human rights issues that often appear in these cases, see our human rights category.

Expert evidence is most useful when it is grounded in a body of consistent, well-sourced country information. A single report is strong; a connected database of reports is far stronger.
UK Upper Tribunal, Practice Direction 10 — Expert Evidence (2023), para 5

Quality Assurance: Peer Review and Source Checks

A database is only as good as its weakest report. For this reason, we apply strict quality controls. Every report passes three checks before it enters the database. The first check is by a senior country expert. The second is a source verification step, where every citation is tested against the original document. The third is a legal review, which makes sure the report meets the rules of the relevant tribunal.[6]

Furthermore, reports are not frozen in time. We update country files every six months. If new laws, new violence, or new policies appear, the file is revised. As a result, lawyers always work with current evidence. This continuous updating is one of the main reasons our reports score well in tribunals around the world.

Three-Step Review Process

1. Peer review: A senior expert in the same country reviews the draft for accuracy.
2. Source verification: Every citation is checked against the original source.
3. Legal review: A qualified lawyer checks that the report meets tribunal rules.

Success Metrics: Appeal Win Rates with Expert Evidence

The most important question for any lawyer is simple. Does an expert report help win the case? The data from our database is encouraging. In appeals where one of our expert reports was filed, the win rate is around 71%. By contrast, the average UK appeal win rate without expert evidence is closer to 49%. The gap is large and consistent across regions.[7]

Of course, expert evidence is not a magic shield. The applicant still must give credible testimony. The legal team still must build a strong case. However, when these elements come together with a peer-reviewed expert report, the result is often a grant of protection. Cases reported on BAILII show that tribunals routinely cite expert reports as decisive evidence.

How Lawyers Can Access Reports

Access to the expert witness database is open to qualified legal professionals and registered immigration advisers. Lawyers can request a search by country, by case type, or by expert name. Our team responds within 48 hours with a short list of relevant cases and a summary. If a full report is needed, we can prepare a fresh, tailored version based on stored evidence and updated sources.[8]

To start, lawyers can use the find an expert witness page on our site. There, they can submit a brief about the case, the country, and the deadline. We will then match the case with the right expert and confirm cost and timing. For very urgent cases, fast-track service is available within five working days.

Conclusion

An expert witness database is not just a collection of papers. It is a living tool that grows with each case. With 363 cases and more than 50 countries, our database offers depth, breadth and proven results. It supports lawyers from the first research step to the final hearing. Furthermore, the peer-reviewed structure gives tribunals confidence in every report. If you handle asylum or human rights cases, the database can save time, raise quality, and improve outcomes. To get started, contact our team or use our online find an expert witness service.