Course Title: Refugee Law Adjudication and Decision Writing for Appeals Tribunal Members
Delivery Mode: In-person
Duration: 4 days (Intensive programme)
Accredited by: University of Cape Town, Faculty of Law
This course offers members of refugee appeals tribunals and related judicial bodies the opportunity to deepen their understanding of international refugee law and the principles of crafting clear, legally sound decisions in asylum appeals.
Drawing on domestic law, regional OAU standards, and international conventions, it combines rigorous legal analysis with practical decision-writing exercises to ensure fair, efficient, and non-discriminatory asylum procedures.
Participants will master the application of the refugee definition, exclusion clauses, and the principle of non-refoulement, while enhancing their skills in credibility assessment, fact-finding, and producing well-reasoned determinations.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Apply the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Convention, and domestic law to asylum appeals, including the extended definition and exclusion clauses.
Conduct unbiased, evidence-based credibility assessments and fact-finding, recognising and mitigating unconscious bias.
Draft well-structured, clear, and properly reasoned decisions using plain language and appropriate templates for different audiences.
Analyse complex legal and factual information swiftly to identify key issues and evidence in refugee status determination.
Implement the principle of non-refoulement and other key protection mechanisms in line with international and national legal frameworks.
Members of Refugee Appeals Authorities and Tribunals;
Judges and Magistrates handling administrative or refugee law cases;
Legal Advisors and Policy Analysts working in migration and asylum;
UNHCR staff and NGO legal officers involved in refugee status determination.
Participants should have a foundational understanding of administrative or refugee law.
Expert-led deep dives into the core elements of refugee law, from inclusion to exclusion.
Interactive case study analysis of landmark domestic and international jurisprudence.
Practical group work to develop decision-making roadmaps and templates.
Individual decision-writing exercises with personalised feedback from facilitators.
Peer-to-peer feedback sessions to critique and refine decision-writing skills.
Dr. Mathilda Twomey, Academic Director, JIFA
With contributions from specialists in refugee laws, senior members of the African judiciary, academics from the University of Cape Town and other universities, and invited experts.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Judicial Institute for Africa (JIFA), Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town.
US$ TBC
Includes full access to course materials, discussion forums, and certification.
Institutional and group enrolment options are available.
"This course brilliantly bridges the gap between complex refugee law theory and the practical task of writing a clear, defensible decision. The case studies were directly relevant to my daily work."
"The sessions on credibility assessment and unconscious bias were transformative. I now have a structured framework for evaluating testimony that is both fair and rigorous."
"The opportunity to draft a decision and receive immediate, constructive feedback from experienced facilitators was invaluable for my professional development as an adjudicator."
Join an African-wide community of judicial professionals committed to excellence and integrity.