S.L. 420.7 Art. 8Requirements for the examination of applications.

(1) The International Protection Agency shall ensure that applications for international protection are neither rejected nor excluded from examination on the sole ground that they have not been made as soon as possible.

(2) When examining applications for international protection, the International Protection Agency shall first determine whether the applicants qualify as refugees and if such applicants do not qualify, determine whether the applicants are eligible for subsidiary protection.

(3) The International Protection Agency shall ensure that decisions on applications for international protection are taken after an appropriate examination and that -

(a) applications are examined and decisions are taken individually, objectively and impartially;

(b) precise and up-to-date information is obtained from EASO and UNHCR as well as other relevant international human rights organisations as to the general situation prevailing in the countries of origin of the applicants and, where necessary, in countries through which they have transited and that such information is made available to the personnel responsible for examining applications and taking decisions: Provided that the information referred to in this paragraph shall be accessible to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal for the purpose of taking a decision on an application for international protection;

(c) the personnel examining applications and taking decisions have acquired the appropriate knowledge in the field of asylum and refugee law;

(d) the International Protection Agency has the possibility to seek advice, whenever necessary, from experts on particular issues, such as medical, cultural, religious, child-related or gender issues.

(4) The International Protection Agency shall provide for rules concerning the translation of documents relevant for the examination of applications.