A report for a First-tier Tribunal appeal is built around the refusal letter. It takes each country-related reason the decision-maker gave, such as reliance on a CPIN, an internal relocation finding or the application of KK [2021] for a Tamil appellant, and responds to it with sourced analysis. Points that are not in dispute are kept short.
The report is written to meet the tribunal's practice direction on expert evidence and CPR Part 35 principles: it states the instructions received, sets out the expert's qualifications and sources, distinguishes fact from opinion, and includes the required declaration of independence.
Timing matters. Where the case turns on fast-moving conditions, such as Bangladesh after August 2024 or current events in India, the report is dated as close to the hearing as the directions allow, so that the tribunal is not working from out-of-date material.
Questions solicitors ask
- What documents are needed to start an FTT appeal report?
- The asylum interview record, refusal letter, the appellant's witness statement and any CPINs relied on. A standard report usually takes 2 to 4 weeks from full instructions; urgent reports within 72 hours may be possible depending on availability.