It has come to our attention that there may be some misunderstandings about what we charge for certain of our services. The BPCA is funded entirely by donations that come as and when. We are not a funded organization in terms of grants and the like that enable us to function with steady cash flow (occassionally we get grants for specific projects).
While our reach and reputation is growing and has become international, we are a very small volunteer organisation. Our policy in cases of asylum seekers from Pakistan in European / Western nations is to charge a minimum of £250, in part because we have to give renumeration to the experts who write them for us, but also because it helps fund the work we do for others, and we believe that asylum seekers who have made it to the UK and the West will almost invariably have networks of support that should enable them to raise this amount.. By and large we take on these cases from solicitors who understand the reality and need for such charges, but anyone wanting such a report will be charged the same.
Thus far (May 2015) the success rate in asylum appeal cases where we have written such expert reports has been 100% – the worst case has been extension of the right to stay for several years, and in many cases our clients have won indefiinite leave to stay.
We believe that letters of recommendation are of no practical use in cases of asylum appeals and the like. If you really want one from us, we will charge something like £25, but we really don’t think it will do any good.