How a Somalia Expert Report Can Address Gaps Between CPIN Findings and Case-Specific Evidence

Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs) can provide important background information when assessing a Somalia asylum or human rights claim. However, a CPIN generally addresses conditions or issues at a broader country or regional level. An individual case may raise questions that require more specific analysis.

A Somalia country expert report may assist by examining how relevant country conditions relate to the particular circumstances described in an appellant's evidence. The purpose is not necessarily to replace published country information, but to provide independent, case-specific analysis where appropriate.

For broader information about the role of a Somalia country expert, see What Is a Somalia Country Expert?.

What Is the Difference Between a CPIN and Case-Specific Evidence?

A CPIN provides country information and policy material relevant to particular types of claims. It may discuss subjects such as security conditions, particular groups, regional circumstances, or the treatment of people returning to Somalia.

Case-specific evidence is different. It concerns the individual appellant and may include their:

• Family and clan background
• Place of origin or previous residence
• Employment or activities
• Relationship with particular groups or individuals
• Previous experiences in Somalia
• Time spent outside Somalia
• Circumstances following departure
• Evidence concerning events that occurred after departure

The two forms of material may therefore address different questions.

A CPIN might describe a general condition affecting a particular population. The individual case may require consideration of whether that information is relevant to the appellant's particular circumstances.

Where Can Gaps Arise Between Country Information and an Individual Case?

A perceived gap does not necessarily mean that published country information is inadequate. It may simply reflect the difference between general country information and the facts of a particular case.

Regional Differences

Information concerning Somalia may not apply uniformly across every location.

An appellant's case may concern a particular town, district or region, while available country information may address a wider geographical area. The relevance of that information may depend on the appellant's actual location, previous connections and proposed destination.

A Somalia country expert may be asked to consider whether relevant geographical distinctions are material to the particular circumstances described.

For related information, see Somalia Regions and Country Expertise.

Clan and Family Circumstances

The significance of clan or family connections may differ depending on the individual's circumstances and location.

For example, a case may involve questions about:

• The appellant's claimed clan identity
• Family or sub-clan connections
• Access to protection or support
• Relationships within a particular community
• Whether the absence of particular family or community connections may be relevant to the circumstances described

Where these matters are central to a case, an expert may be asked to provide an opinion based on the particular circumstances rather than relying solely on general descriptions.

Individual History

Country information may describe general patterns, while an appellant may provide a detailed personal history involving particular events, relationships or activities.

That history may be relevant to understanding the country context applicable to the individual case. An expert report can set out relevant country-context issues while leaving the ultimate legal assessment to the appropriate decision-maker.

How Can an Expert Report Approach an Apparent Gap?

A carefully focused instruction can help identify what question requires expert consideration.

Identify the Specific Issue

The first step is to identify the particular issue that is not directly addressed by the available material.

For example, the issue might concern:

• A particular locality
• A minority or vulnerable group
• A specific clan or family relationship
• A person's previous activities
• A particular form of alleged targeting
• Access to family or community support
• Conditions affecting a proposed place of relocation

The question should be framed around the evidence and circumstances of the individual case.

Consider the Available Country Material

The expert can then consider the relevant CPINs and other material provided as part of the instructions.

This can help distinguish between:

1. Information that directly addresses the issue
2. Information that provides broader background
3. Areas where further specialist country analysis may be relevant

A difference between the appellant's account and published country information should not automatically be treated as a contradiction. The relevance of any apparent difference will depend on the particular evidence and circumstances.

Explain the Country Context

Where appropriate, the report can explain relevant social, political, security or regional context.

This may be relevant where terminology or local circumstances are difficult to understand without specialist country knowledge.

The report should distinguish between points based on the expert's professional knowledge, information obtained from sources, and assumptions made for the purpose of the opinion.

What Questions Might a Solicitor Ask a Somalia Country Expert?

Instructions should be tailored to the issues that arise in the particular case.

Depending on the circumstances, questions could address:

Location

• What relevant conditions exist in the appellant's claimed area of origin?
• Are there significant differences between the appellant's locality and other parts of Somalia?
• Are there relevant differences between areas controlled or influenced by different actors?

Community and Clan Circumstances

• What may be the significance of the appellant's claimed clan or family connections?
• Could the absence of particular family or community connections be relevant to the circumstances described?
• Are there local factors that may affect the availability of support?

Individual Circumstances

• How might the appellant's stated history relate to the relevant country conditions?
• Are there country-specific factors that may assist in understanding the appellant's account?
• Are there relevant changes in circumstances since the appellant left Somalia?

Relocation

• What country or regional factors are relevant to the proposed location?
• Could the appellant's particular circumstances be relevant when considering that location?
• What practical or social factors may require consideration alongside general security information?

These questions should be adapted to the evidence and issues in the individual case rather than treated as a standard checklist.

Further information about the areas of work covered by Somalia country experts is available on the Somalia Expert services page.

What an Expert Report Does Not Determine

A country expert's role is to provide independent expert opinion within their area of expertise.

An expert report does not ordinarily determine whether an appellant is telling the truth, whether the legal requirements for refugee status are met, or what decision a tribunal should make.

Similarly, an expert should not simply adopt the appellant's account as established fact. Where an opinion depends on a particular factual premise, the report can identify that premise and explain its significance.

This distinction can help separate:

• The appellant's evidence
• Documentary country information
• The expert's professional opinion
• The legal issues that remain for the decision-maker

Why Clear Instructions Matter

A report can be more focused when the expert is given the relevant case materials and clear questions.

Instructions may need to identify:

• The issues in dispute
• The relevant CPINs or other country material
• The appellant's account
• Important documentary evidence
• Any previous decisions
• The specific questions requiring expert opinion

The material provided should be sufficient to allow the expert to understand the issues requiring consideration, while the questions should remain focused on matters within the expert's area of expertise.

For further information about preparing an instruction, see Instructing a Somalia Country Expert.

How to Present a Difference Between a CPIN and Expert Evidence

A difference between a CPIN and an expert's opinion should be explained carefully.

It may be useful to establish:

1. What the CPIN says
2. What factual issue arises in the individual case
3. Why the existing material may not directly answer that issue
4. What additional country-specific analysis the expert has undertaken
5. What sources or professional knowledge support the expert's opinion
6. Any limitations or assumptions underlying that opinion

This approach can make the distinction between general country information and case-specific expert analysis clearer.

Conclusion

CPINs can provide an important foundation for understanding conditions in Somalia, but individual asylum cases may involve circumstances that require more specific country analysis.

Where a case raises an issue that is not directly addressed by the available country material, a Somalia country expert may be asked to consider the relevant evidence and provide an independent opinion within their expertise.

The usefulness of such an approach depends on the particular facts, the questions put to the expert, the material available and the scope of the expert's expertise. A focused report should distinguish country information from case-specific analysis and should leave the ultimate legal assessment to the appropriate decision-maker.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the potential role of Somalia country expert evidence. It is not legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for professional legal assessment of an individual case. Last Reviewed: September 2026