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A comprehensive guide to key terms used in asylum, immigration, and human rights law. Each definition includes links to detailed articles and resources on our site.
International protection granted to individuals who have fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. In the UK, asylum claims are assessed under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Related: How to Apply for Asylum: Step-by-Step Guide • Expert Witness Services
A substantive interview conducted by an immigration officer or caseworker to assess the credibility and merits of an asylum claim. The applicant must explain why they fear return to their country of origin and provide supporting evidence.
Related: What to Expect at Your Asylum Interview
A person who has applied for asylum but whose claim has not yet been decided. Unlike a refugee, an asylum seeker has not yet received formal recognition of their need for protection. They have legal rights during the determination process.
Factual evidence about conditions in a person's home country, used to assess asylum claims. COI covers human rights situations, political conditions, security threats, treatment of specific groups, and legal frameworks. Sources include UNHCR, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and government reports.
Related: Country of Origin Information Articles • Country Reports
A qualified professional with in-depth knowledge of conditions in a specific country, who provides expert opinion evidence for immigration and asylum cases. Their reports analyse the risk a person would face if returned to their country of origin.
Related: Find a Country Expert Witness • Our Expert Witness Database
The process by which decision-makers evaluate whether an asylum seeker's account is believable. Factors include internal consistency, consistency with COI, plausibility, and the level of detail provided. Expert witness reports can significantly strengthen credibility.
Related: What Judges Look For in Expert Witness Reports
The forced removal of a person from a country, typically after their immigration status has been found to be unlawful or their asylum claim has been refused. Deportation must comply with human rights obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement.
A legal principle established in HJ (Iran) v SSHD [2010] that an asylum seeker cannot be expected to conceal or modify their identity, beliefs, or behaviour to avoid persecution. If a person would face risk by being open about who they are, they qualify for protection.
A detailed written assessment by a country expert witness, submitted as evidence in asylum or immigration proceedings. It typically includes analysis of country conditions, risk assessment on return, and expert opinion on the applicant's specific circumstances.
Related: What Does an Expert Report Contain? • Order an Expert Report
A person with specialised knowledge, training, or experience who is permitted by the court to give opinion evidence. In asylum cases, expert witnesses provide independent analysis of country conditions, cultural practices, political situations, and risk on return.
Related: Complete Guide to Expert Witnesses in Asylum Cases
The court that hears appeals against Home Office decisions on asylum, immigration, and human rights claims in the UK. It is the first level of judicial appeal, presided over by immigration judges.
A further asylum claim made after a previous claim has been refused. Under paragraph 353 of the Immigration Rules, new evidence must be presented that, taken with the previously considered material, creates a realistic prospect of success.
The UK government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. The Home Office processes asylum claims through its UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) division and makes initial decisions on whether to grant protection.
A form of international protection granted to individuals who do not qualify as refugees under the 1951 Convention but who face a real risk of serious harm if returned to their country. This includes risks of death penalty, torture, or threats from armed conflict.
The argument that an asylum seeker could safely relocate to another part of their own country rather than seeking international protection. Decision-makers must assess whether relocation is both safe and reasonable for the individual.
A fundamental principle of international law that prohibits states from returning individuals to countries where they would face torture, persecution, or other serious human rights violations. It is enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention (Article 33) and the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 3).
One of the five grounds for refugee protection under the 1951 Convention. A PSG is a group of people who share an innate characteristic, a common background that cannot be changed, or a characteristic so fundamental to identity that they should not be forced to change it. Examples include LGBTQ+ individuals, women at risk of FGM, and members of certain clans or families.
Serious harm or a sustained pattern of ill-treatment that amounts to a violation of fundamental human rights. Persecution can take many forms: physical violence, imprisonment, denial of basic rights, severe discrimination, or threats to life. It must be linked to one of the five Convention grounds.
A person who has been recognised as meeting the definition under Article 1A(2) of the 1951 Refugee Convention: someone outside their country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.
The United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, adopted in 1951 and expanded by the 1967 Protocol. It defines who is a refugee, their rights, and the legal obligations of states. It remains the cornerstone of international refugee protection.
An evaluation of the dangers a person would face if returned to their country of origin. Expert witnesses assess this by analysing current country conditions, the individual's profile, and documented patterns of persecution or harm targeting people with similar characteristics.
Related: How We Assess Return Risk
A form of international protection in EU law (Qualification Directive) for individuals who do not qualify as refugees but face a real risk of serious harm, including death penalty, torture, or indiscriminate violence from armed conflict.
An asylum claim based on activities or circumstances that arose after the person left their home country. For example, political activism in the UK that comes to the attention of the home country authorities, creating a new risk of persecution on return.
The UN agency mandated to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR provides guidance on refugee law interpretation, publishes country guidance, and can intervene in asylum proceedings.
The appellate court that reviews decisions of the First-tier Tribunal for errors of law. It also issues country guidance determinations — authoritative decisions on conditions in specific countries that lower courts must follow.
An expert witness report is a detailed written assessment prepared by a country specialist. It analyses conditions in the applicant's home country and provides an independent expert opinion on the risks they would face if returned. These reports are submitted as evidence in immigration tribunals and courts.
Standard turnaround is 2-4 weeks from instruction. Urgent reports can be prepared within 5-7 working days. The timeline depends on the complexity of the case and the country involved.
Expert witnesses can be instructed by solicitors, barristers, legal aid agencies, and in some cases directly by asylum seekers. The expert must remain independent and provide an objective opinion regardless of who instructs them.
Country expert witnesses typically hold advanced academic qualifications (PhD or Master's) in relevant fields such as politics, human rights, area studies, or international relations. They must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the specific country, which may include fieldwork, published research, and previous tribunal experience.
Costs vary depending on the complexity and urgency of the case. Reports may be funded through legal aid where available. Contact us for a quote tailored to your specific case requirements.
Yes. Expert witness reports provide independent, evidence-based analysis that can significantly strengthen an asylum claim. They help establish country conditions, corroborate the applicant's account, and assess the real risk on return. See our case database for examples.
We provide expert witness reports for over 120 countries and jurisdictions worldwide, with particular expertise in the Middle East, East Africa, Central Asia, and the post-Soviet region. Find an expert for your country.
COI is factual, objective information about conditions in asylum seekers' home countries. It includes reports from governments, international organisations (UNHCR, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch), news sources, and academic research. COI is essential evidence in asylum decisions.
An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for international protection but whose claim has not yet been decided. A refugee is someone whose claim has been assessed and who has been formally recognised as meeting the definition under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Non-refoulement is a core principle of international law that prohibits states from returning people to countries where they would face serious harm such as torture, persecution, or threats to life. It is legally binding under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.
