Home Office Country Policy Information Notes (CPINs) are operational guidance — experts go beyond and may challenge CPIN findings. Country Guidance (CG) cases are binding Upper Tribunal precedent — tribunals must follow CG where it conflicts with CPINs.
Experts must cite dated sources and state CPIN publication dates. Profile-specific analysis the CPIN omits is a common basis for expert instruction. CG framework must be applied to the appellant's specific profile.
EUAA Country Guidance and UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines are persuasive international references. Experts cite these where relevant to UK analysis but CG takes precedence in UK tribunal proceedings.
See our CPIN and Country Guidance page for the full documentary hierarchy table and expert role in tribunal proceedings.