The Chairperson of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, in furtherance of ensuring the efficiency of the functions of the Tribunal in accordance with fairness and natural justice, has issued a new and updated Guideline on Country Information to the Members of the Tribunal in accordance with section 63(2) of the International Protection Act 2015.
The Guideline shall be read in conjunction with the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015 (‘the 2015 Act’) and the International Protection Act 2015 (Procedures and Periods for Appeal) Regulations 2017 (‘the 2017 Regulations’), and all other Guidelines issued by the Chairperson pursuant to section 63(2) of the 2015 Act. In the case of any ambiguity or conflict, the legislation shall take precedence. The Guideline replaces previous Guidance Note on Country of Origin Information 2017/4, which is hereby revoked.
The purpose of this Guideline is to outline the relevant standards and principles governing the sourcing and assessing of country information for the determination of appeals coming before the Tribunal and it is hoped that it will also be of assistance to those appearing before the Tribunal in preparing appeals and other submissions to the Tribunal.