Skip to main content
Expert Country Reports

Country Condition Reports for UK Asylum & Immigration Proceedings

Independent, fully referenced analysis of conditions in the country of origin, written for the issues the tribunal has to decide.

Request a Report

What Country Condition Reports Involves

A country condition report sets out what is reliably known about the situation an appellant would face on return. It is written by a specialist in that country, it answers the questions put in the letter of instruction, and it gives the source for every factual statement so the tribunal can test it.

The report does not decide the appeal and does not assess whether the appellant is telling the truth. Its job is narrower and more useful: to tell the judge whether the account is consistent with how things work in that country, who is at risk and from whom, whether the authorities can or will protect, and whether moving elsewhere in the country is a realistic answer.

An old printed map of the world

What This Service Covers

  • Detailed, referenced analysis of conditions in a country of origin
  • Political situation, human rights record, and treatment of specific groups
  • Availability of state protection and internal relocation viability
  • Country guidance case compatibility analysis

What You Receive

  • A signed report with the expert's qualifications, instructions, and statement of truth
  • Numbered paragraphs with a reference for each factual claim
  • A clear line between source material and the expert's own opinion
  • Direct answers to each question in the letter of instruction, in the order asked
  • A dated source list, so the tribunal can see how current the evidence is
  • Availability to answer written questions and to attend the hearing if directed

What We Need From You

  • Country of origin, and the home area or region if it matters to the claim
  • The issues in dispute, taken from the refusal letter or the grounds of appeal
  • The appellant's profile in neutral terms: ethnicity, religion, political activity, family links
  • Any Home Office country material relied on in the refusal
  • The hearing date and any directions about expert evidence
  • How the report is funded, so the scope can be matched to it

Please do not send names or other identifying details until instructions are confirmed. Start a request.

CPIN Guidance vs Independent Expert Evidence

Home Office Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs) are frequently relied upon in asylum appeals. Independent expert country condition reports serve a distinct and complementary role, providing the tribunal with objective, referenced analysis that can challenge or supplement CPIN reliance.

Home Office CPIN

  • Produced by the Home Office for its own decision-making
  • Reflects the government's position on country conditions
  • Updated periodically, so may not reflect the most recent developments
  • Not subject to cross-examination as expert evidence
  • Tribunals may rely on CPINs but are not bound by them

Independent Expert Report

  • Produced by an independent expert with no institutional interest in the outcome
  • Draws on primary sources, field knowledge, and current research
  • Prepared to FPR Part 25 standards for use as expert evidence
  • Subject to cross-examination by HOPOs and specialist immigration counsel
  • Can identify gaps, inaccuracies, or outdated content in CPIN reliance

When the Home Office relies on a CPIN, an independent expert report can identify specific gaps or areas of contention, strengthening the appellant's country evidence before the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal.

When You Need This

  • Asylum appeals before the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal
  • Cases where Home Office CPIN guidance is disputed or incomplete
  • Country guidance cases requiring independent expert evidence
  • Fresh claims and further submissions requiring updated country evidence

Our Approach

  • Primary sources, UNHCR guidance, NGO reports, and direct field knowledge
  • Fully referenced reports prepared to FPR Part 25 standards
  • Expert matching by country specialism, language, and thematic expertise

UK Tribunal Standards

All country condition reports are prepared to FPR Part 25 standards for use as expert evidence in First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal proceedings, and are capable of withstanding cross-examination.

Tribunal coverage and report standards

Related Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a country condition report in asylum proceedings?
A country condition report is an expert document providing independent, referenced analysis of conditions in a claimant's country of origin, including the political situation, human rights record, treatment of specific groups, availability of state protection, and internal relocation viability. It is submitted as expert evidence in immigration tribunal and court proceedings and must meet the applicable expert-evidence standards.
What must a country condition expert report contain under expert evidence rules?
A country condition expert report typically includes: the expert's qualifications and experience, a summary of instructions received, the substance of the facts and materials relied upon, the expert's opinion and reasoning, a summary of conclusions, and a statement of truth confirming the expert's understanding of their duty to the tribunal.
How is a country condition report different from government country guidance?
Government country policy and information notes are produced by state authorities and reflect the government's position on country conditions. An independent expert country condition report is produced by an expert with no institutional interest in the outcome, drawing on primary sources and current knowledge. Independent expert evidence can identify gaps, inaccuracies, or outdated content in government guidance and provide the tribunal with a more complete picture of conditions in the country of origin.
Can Expert Country Reports provide reports for country guidance cases?
Yes. Expert Country Reports provides country condition expert reports for country guidance cases before immigration tribunals. Country guidance cases require the most rigorous and comprehensive country condition analysis, grounded in primary sources and capable of withstanding intensive cross-examination.
How do I request a country condition report for an asylum appeal?
To request a country condition report for an asylum appeal, submit a brief using our request form, giving the country of origin, the issues to be addressed, the relevant tribunal, and your hearing context. We will identify the right expert and provide a scope and fee proposal.

Ready to request a report?

Submit a request and we confirm scope and fees before work begins.

Request a Report