First-instance decision

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File information
Introduction
Basis of claim
Credibility assessment
Risk assessment
Legal analysis
Form
Efficiency
Indicates required field

File information

Reference

Applicant

Nationality/Ethnicity
Religion
Special needs

Case data

Assessment

Other

Each indicator can and must be assessed by choosing one of the options: Correct, Minor error, Significant error, Not applicable. Guidance on situations encountered is provided for each indicator. Those situations are not exhaustive nor conclusive.

Introduction

1. The decision correctly states the applicant’s details.

1.1. The decision states the correct name, country of origin and home area, date of birth and file number, as well as other details required by national policy.

2. If applicable, the decision includes a concise and accurate summary of the immigration history of the applicant.

2.1. The decision includes a concise and accurate summary of possible previous applications and other immigration history of the applicant, according to national policy.

Basis of claim

3. The basis of claim correctly outlines all material facts, future fear and evidence.

3.1. All material facts are correctly identified and stated.
3.2. The basis of claim correctly specifies who and what the applicant fears, and/or why they cannot go back to their country of origin / habitual residence.
3.3. Evidence (documentary or other evidence) presented by the applicant is correctly outlined according to national practice.

Credibility assessment

4. The credibility of each material fact is assessed correctly, including the identity and country of origin of the applicant.

4.1. Each material fact is correctly formulated.
4.2. The evidence (the applicant’s statements, documentary or other evidence) is linked correctly to each material fact.
4.3. Internal credibility indicators are applied and analysed correctly including the assessment and explanations of the indicators.
4.4. External credibility indicators are applied and analysed correctly including the assessment and explanations of the indicators.
4.5. The concept of plausibility is applied objectively.
4.6. Only inconsistencies/discrepancies which have been put to the applicant for comment are used in the decision.
4.7. COI is relevant, up-to-date and referenced correctly.

5. A clear finding is made on each material fact.

5.1. For each material fact, the decision clearly states whether it is accepted or rejected.
5.2. When needed, Article 4(5) of the qualification directive is applied correctly.

6. The correct standard and burden of proof is applied.

6.1. When assessing the material facts, the correct standard of proof is applied, according to national guidance.
6.2. The burden of proof is applied correctly when assessing the material facts.
6.3. Individual circumstances and individual factors such as age, education, gender, trauma, etc. are correctly identified and taken into account when assessing the applicant’s ability to substantiate their claim.

Risk assessment

7. The risk on return is accurately and fully assessed.

7.1. The decision correctly identifies and assesses the risk on return (who, what, why and in which circumstances) and takes into account the individual circumstances of the applicant.
7.2. If applicable, the decision correctly takes into account past persecution when assessing risk upon return.
7.3. The correct standard of proof is applied (reasonable degree of likelihood) in assessing risk on return.
7.4. COI is relevant, up-to-date and correctly referenced.

Form

14. The decision follows a correct structure and includes all required elements.

14.1. The decision follows a correct structure and format according to national policies.
14.2. The applicant is provided information on how to challenge a decision in writing or by electronic means.

15. The decision is professionally drafted.

15.1. The reasoning is non-speculative.
15.2. The language of the decision is appropriate, sensitive and factual.
15.3. The rules of grammar and spelling are applied.

Efficiency

16. The decision is issued according to the prescribed timelines.

16.1. The decision is issued according to the prescribed timelines according to national legislation and policy.

Conclusion

To be filled by the quality assessor based on overall observations.

A conclusion on the overall quality, pointing out the identified good practices, weaknesses, and recommendations, how the first-instance decision could be further improved. 
The overall quality is:

The scale below is applied.

  • High: Under 20% minor errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.
  • Moderate: 20% or more minor errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.
  • Low: One or more significant error.
  • 0
    Total correct
  • 0
    Total minor errors
  • 0
    Total significant errors