30 74. It is in the interests of all parties that statelessness determination is conducted as expeditiously as possible, subject to reasonable time being available to gather evidence. Several countries have established time limits within which determination authorities are to make a decision on a statelessness application. In applications where the immediately available evidence is clear and the statelessness claim is manifestly well-founded, fair and efficient procedures may only require a few months to reach a final determination. 75. In general, it is undesirable for a first instance decision to be issued more than six months from the submission of an application as this prolongs the period spent by an applicant in an insecure position. However, in exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate to allow the proceedings to last up to 12 months to provide time for enquiries regarding the individual’s nationality status to be pursued with another State, where it is likely that a substantive response will be forthcoming in that period.44 76. An effective right to appeal against a negative first instance decision is an essential safeguard in a statelessness determination procedure. The appeal procedure is to rest with an independent body. The applicant is to have access to legal counsel and, where free legal assistance is available, it is to be offered to applicants without financial means. 77. Appeals must be possible on both points of fact and law as the possibility exists that there may have been an incorrect assessment of the evidence at first instance level. Whether an appellate body can substitute its own judgment on eligibility under the 1954 Convention or whether it can merely quash the first instance decision and send the matter back for reconsideration by the determination authority is at the discretion of the State. The choice will tend to reflect the general approach to such matters in its legal/administrative system. In addition, States may permit a further judicial review, which addresses questions of law only, and may be limited by the procedural rules of the judicial system concerned. 44 This highlights the importance of applicants receiving an appropriate standard of treatment during the determination process. Please see, further, Part Three below.