102 - 110 fact, the decision-maker should consider whether it is appropriate to apply the principle of the benefit of the doubt.62 107. Even where material elements of the applicant’s statements are found to lack credibility, this does not preclude a determination of statelessness. An individual’s testimony must still be evaluated in the light of all other evidence, such as that relating to the countries concerned, which may still support a finding of statelessness.63 E. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS 108. Given the nature of statelessness, individualized procedures are the norm as these allow for the exploration of the applicant’s personal circumstances. Countries that have adopted statelessness determination procedures thus far have followed this approach. Most of them are parties to the 1954 Convention and are assessing nationality/statelessness in relation to individuals present in a migratory context. 109. It is possible, however, to grant stateless person status to individuals within a group on a prima facie basis,64 that is, without undertaking a full individual status determination. This could be appropriate where there is readily apparent, objective information about the lack of nationality of members of a group such that they would prima facie meet the stateless person definition in Article 1(1) of the 1954 Convention. In the absence of contrary evidence, an individual’s eligibility for protection under the Convention would therefore be based on whether he or she is a member of an identified group that satisfies the Article 1(1) definition. 110. Prima facie recognition is not a subsidiary category or lesser status, but rather reflects an efficient evidentiary assessment leading to recognition under the 1954 Convention. As stateless persons, they benefit from the rights attached to that status until such status ends. As with individual determination mechanisms, there must be an effective legal remedy for 62 Please see, in a different context, discussion of the principle of benefit of the doubt in Beyond Proof, Credibility Assessment in EU Asylum Systems: Summary, note 61 above, in particular at page 44. 63 A similar approach applies in determination of refugee status. Please see paragraph 42 of Handbook and Guidelines on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status, note 47 above. Given the nature of the statelessness definition, credibility issues are less likely to prevent a finding of statelessness than they are in a determination of refugee status. 64 The prima facie technique is used in refugee status determination, usually in a group context. But it has also been applied in individual determinations. PART TWO (1) Group determination 39