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Expert Affidavit Policy
An expert affidavit can benefit a Tibetan asylum case by showing that the
various forms of abuse alleged by an individual Tibetan asylum seeker
are consistent with overall patterns of treatment and abuse suffered by
Tibetans.
Our expert affidavits are composed by members of the Tibet Justice Center
Board of Directors who are recognized experts on country conditions inside
Tibet, as well as conditions for Tibetan refugees in Nepal & India.
They are attorneys who have had years of expert experience in
asylum-related matters, as well as before various United Nations Committees
and Sub-Committees and other international forums. A C.V. for the attorney
preparing the affidavit will be made available to the attorney requesting
the affidavit.
Cost
The cost of an expert affidavit is normally $500. This figure is well
below the value of the attorney time spent preparing the affidavit, as
well as what independent country-condition experts usually charge for
similar services. This amount, while technically an "expert's fee" payable
to the attorney drafting the affidavit, will be donated entirely to Tibet
Justice Center. It will help to enable our organization to continue to
carry out indispensable work on behalf of the Tibetan people, both by
broader policy work on asylum issues, and by project work that includes
fact-finding research, environmental and human-rights reporting and advocacy,
and work at the United Nations.
If you are a solo practitioner or member of a small firm with little
to no pro bono budget, we are open to negotiating the fee or waving
it altogether. What we do not want is for Tibetans to bear the financial
burden of the experts fee because their attorney will not or cannot pay
for it. In these cases, our attorneys will provide affidavits on a pro
bono basis, time and resources permitting.
Turn-Around Time
The turn-around time for an expert affidavit is 30 days. A request for
the affidavit to be completed in a shorter time period constitutes a "rush"
and may result in a higher fee.
Expert Testimony
In almost all cases, expert affidavits are sufficient to illustrate how
an individual asylum seeker's claims fit into a larger pattern and practice
of abuses and ill-treatment. In extraordinary circumstances, Tibet Justice
Center attorneys will consider giving live testimony via telephone for
an additional, negotiated fee.
If you would like to request an expert affidavit or have any questions, please contact us at info@tibetjustice.org and put "Expert Affidavit" in the subject line of your email.
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