Section 8, The Refugees Protection Act, 2007

(1) An application for the grant of refugee status shall bemade to the Implementing Agency, either directly or through any authorised officer or officer of the United Nations. (2) Any authorised officer or officer of the United Nations to whom any person seeking recognition as a refugee first presents himself shall refer that person to the nearest office of the Implementing Agency and shall, as soon as possible, notify the Agency that a person seeking refugee status has entered into or is present in Sierra Leone. (3) An application for recognition as a refugee received by any authorised officer or officer of the United Nations shall be forwarded to the Commission. (4) The Implementing Agency shall, on receiving the application, invite the applicant to appear before it, to provide oral or documentary evidence, accompanied by a legal practitioner or other person of his choice, if he so desires, whose fees or expenses, if any, shall be paid by the Implementing Agency. Application for grant of refugee status. Composition and functions of Refugee Status Appeal Committee. No. Refugees Protection Act 2007No. Refugees Protection Act 2007 1514 (5) The decision of the Implementing Agency to grant or not to grant the application shall be notified to the applicant in writing and where the application is refused, the Agency shall give reasons for the refusal.