In the interests of transparency, the CCRC publishes minutes of our Board meetings, which are generally held every other month.
We also hold a public Board meeting once per year, which is typically held in November. This meeting provides an opportunity for members of the public to gain insight into the important work that the CCRC carries out.
We hope that this page provides you with the information you need to better understand the workings of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and its commitment to ensuring that the best possible reviews of potential miscarriages of justice take place.
Most recent Board minutes – 14 April 2025
Minutes of a Meeting of the Board
Monday 14 April 2025
Meeting held remotely by video conference
Present:
Mr Andre Katz (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Miss Karen Kneller (Chief Executive)
Ms Amanda Pearce (Casework Operations Director)
Mr Peter Ryan (Finance & Corporate Services Director)
Mr David Brown (Commissioner)
Mr Rob Ward (Commissioner)
Mr Mark Oldham (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Mr Martin Spencer (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Apologies:
Mrs Linda Lee (Commissioner)
1. Welcome and declarations of interest
Mr Katz welcomed everyone to the meeting.
There were no declarations of interest.
2. Minutes of Board Meetings
The minutes of the Board Meetings held on 28 January, and interim meetings
on 7 and 24 March were approved.
3. Oral Update
Mr Katz updated the Board following a recent meeting of the Audit and Risk
Committee Chairs for ALBs.
Mr Katz updated the Board in respect of the Synergy Programme, a joined up
shared service between MoJ/DEFRA/DWP and the Home Office, so that all
departments and eventually all ALBs would have a common shared service.
The Finance & Corporate Services Director confirmed that he had been in
discussions with MoJ over the past few months concerning this. The live date
for existing organisations to join was 2027, however for the CCRC it was likely
to be 2028/2029.
4. Chief Executive update
The CEO updated the Board on the Interim Chair. Discussions with MoJ
confirmed that they had now reached the final stages of the selection process.
The Board remained hopeful that the Interim Chair would arrive in time for the staff event.
The CEO updated the Board on Commissioner recruitment with interviews
expected to take place in late April / early May.
The Board agreed that as Mr Brown, Commissioner had been involved in the
Commissioner recruitment process so far, that he should continue with the
exercise in the absence of an Interim Chair.
The CEO reported that the Justice Select Committee had been reconvened to
29 April.
In respect of the Law Commission, Mr Curtis In-House Counsel was working
on a draft response. This would be circulated to the Board for consultation.
The CEO reported on the government wide review of ALBs and of the internal
communications to staff.
Following her update at the September board, the CEO reported that there
remained an issue in respect of the ICO; In-House Counsel will attend the
next board meeting and provide an update.
The Management Information Pack was noted. In addition, the CEO took the
Board through the actions update.
The Finance & Corporate Services Director provided a verbal update on the
emerging issues log for the incoming Interim Chair.
5. Casework Report
The casework report was noted. This included an update on performance,
referrals, Post Office cases, work to implement Chris Henley KC’s
recommendations and high-profile cases.
The Casework Operations Director gave an update on the work of the
Forensic Opportunities Programme to date. The Board expressed their
gratitude for the very thorough update and noted all the good work that was
taking place.
6. Business Plan
The Director of Finance & Corporate Services presented the Business Plan to
the Board. At its January meeting the Board discussed potential actions and
agreed to retain flexibility in the plan, in the light of the imminent arrival of an
Interim Chair and work flowing from the Chris Henley report.
The Board discussed the report and comments were invited. The Director of
Finance & Corporate Services would incorporate the changes. The Board
decided to await the arrival of the Interim Chair for views before finalising the
draft.
7. Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
Mr Napier introduced the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy. The Board
discussed the report and approved it. Mr Napier would make some revisions
as discussed as well as engage with the Body Corporate.
8. Any Other Business
The CEO reported on an issue that had arisen in respect of potential legal
costs regarding the MoJ Panel Process.
Mr Katz reminded the Board that his tenure and that of Mr Spencer would be
coming to an end over the summer. The CEO had been advised that the
campaign should launch after Easter Recess having had all the required
approvals from MoJ.
There being no other business the meeting closed.
9. Date of Next Meeting
Next meeting 22 May 2025 on site at 23 St. Stephenson Street.
Minutes of the Board meeting
17 January 2025
Meeting held remotely by video conference
Present:
Mr Andre Katz (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Miss Karen Kneller (Chief Executive)
Ms Amanda Pearce (Director of Casework Operations)
Mr Peter Ryan (Finance & Corporate Services Director)
Mr David Brown (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Rob Ward (Non-Executive Director)
Mrs Linda Lee (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Mark Oldham (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Mr Paul Napier (Head of Communications and External Affairs)
Apologies:
Mr Martin Spencer (Independent Non-Executive Director)
1. Welcome
Mr Katz welcomed everyone to the meeting. In line with the Board’s Terms of Reference, following the Chairman’s recent departure Mr Katz would be chairing Board Meetings going forward pending the appointment of an Interim Chair.
2. Discussion
The Board meeting was called to address a number of operational matters, including how best to support SLT during this challenging period. This included the impact on staff, internal/external communications and engagement with Commissioners/ Body Corporate.
3. Update from the Staff Briefing
The CEO updated the Board on the Staff Briefing that took place on 15 January. Following the week’s events there was both considerable disappointment and frustration regarding the nature of the resignation. SLT had tried to provide as much reassurance as possible, particularly around any future review that an Interim Chair may undertake, noting that a review of casework was currently underway, as was a corporate review. The CEO highlighted current business as usual, with the Northern Ireland visit still going ahead next week and a referral having been made today.
The Finance & Corporate Services Director commented that media coverage was causing additional concern and uncertainty for colleagues.
Mr Katz commended the professionalism of the SLT and the wider organisation in its continued focus on casework. He asked whether SLT thought it beneficial for a note to be circulated from the Board and Commissioners, recognising the challenging period the organisation is going through and commending colleagues for all the good work that had been done, whilst also pledging to keep staff updated.
The Head of Communications and External Affairs advised that a note had already been circulated to staff from the Chief Executive on behalf of SLT, the Board and all Commissioners carrying similar messages. It was agreed a further written note was not required.
4. Arrangements for an Interim Chair
The Chief Executive provided an update from David West at the MoJ, regarding the appointment of an interim Chair. That person would need to have a Royal Warrant because as Chair of the CCRC they also needed to be a Commissioner. David West would keep the Chief Executive updated.
5. Media and Communications
The Head of Communications and External Affairs provided an update to the Board, explaining that various scenarios had been identified ahead of this week’s events and plans had been in place for multiple outcomes. He explained that media interest had lessened as the week progressed and explained the strategy going forward. It was agreed that there would be value in documenting and sharing this high-level strategy.
The CEO reflected that it had been the intention of the Head of Communications and External Affairs to spend some time with Commissioners around the Communications Strategy, but recent events had taken over.
Mr Katz suggested that as a way forward, whilst awaiting the arrival of the Interim Chair, the Head of Communications and External Affairs could issue a brief weekly communication update to Commissioners. Agreement was given to this.
6. Operational Gaps to be Filled
Mr Katz enquired whether there were any key gaps in the organisation caused by the absence of a Chair, how they were being plugged and whether there were any governance matters to be considered.
Mr Katz asked the Finance & Corporate Services Director to check whether there was any conflict with him chairing the Board and the Audit Committee. PR to investigate this and report back.
The Chief Executive reported that she would deal with Parliamentary correspondence. In terms of the media, save for the current situation the Chairman didn’t usually comment on issues and so standard processes could continue. There were no big events on the horizon other than the Northern Ireland visit, which was still going ahead. It was noted that the Head of Communications and External Affairs was looking at putting together a Stakeholder Strategy.
Commissioner recruitment was underway and was being supported by Mr Brown. There were about 70 or 80 candidates going through the casework exercise. The campaign for the INED recruitment would need to be commenced, but that could be progressed ahead of any Chair appointment.
It was suggested that the Risk Register would need to be amended given the week’s events, reflecting potential changes to the risk profile. The Finance & Corporate Services Director would lead on that.
7. Commissioners’ questions
Mr Katz thanked Mr Brown for sending through a summary of questions which Commissioners raised in their discussions the previous evening. This would greatly assist in having a structured conversation at the Board/Commissioner meeting which immediately followed.
8. Other business
There being no business the meeting closed.
Minutes of a Meeting of the Board
Tuesday 28 January 2025
Meeting held remotely by video conference
Present:
Miss Karen Kneller (Chief Executive)
Ms Amanda Pearce (Casework Operations Director)
Mr Peter Ryan (Finance & Corporate Services Director)
Mr David Brown (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Rob Ward (Non-Executive Director)
Mrs Linda Lee Non-Executive Director)
Mr Mark Oldham (Independent Non-Executive Director
Mr Andre Katz (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Mr Martin Spencer (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Mr Wayne Gough (Head of Business Planning & Performance) for item 5
Apologies:
None.
1. Welcome and declarations of interest
Mr Katz chaired the Board meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were no declarations of interest.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising
The minutes of the last Board Meeting held on 26 November 2024 were approved.
3. Chief Executive’s Update
The Management Information Pack was noted. In addition, the CEO updated the Board on the action matrix; the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy had been erroneously labelled the Communications Strategy and that will be corrected.
The CEO reported that the publication of the Law Commission’s consultation paper had been delayed; it had been due in late January.
A new Chair, Kim Johnson MP, has been appointed to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Miscarriages of Justice. An arranged meeting was not able to go ahead and a new date will be agreed in due course. Inside Justice had appointed a new CEO, Dr Sarah Niblock, and a meeting was being arranged as soon as practicable.
The CEO updated the Board on a legal matter.
The Finance and Corporate Services Director was asked to compile an emerging issues log for the incoming interim chair.
The Head of Business Planning and Performance was currently meeting with Commissioners to discuss Commissioner job descriptions, with a view to reporting back to the Body Corporate at its next meeting.
The Casework Operations Director updated the Board on the recent visit to Northern Ireland. In attendance were Commissioner Mrs Johanna Higgins, and Mr John Curtis In-house Counsel. There were meetings with the Lady Chief Justice, the Chief Constable of the PSNI, the Bar, and Law Society.
Mrs Johanna Higgins and Mr John Curtis also gave a presentation to the senior Judiciary of Northern Ireland as well as a presentation at Queens University Belfast where a podcast took place along with interviews with some of the students.
The Board reflected on the recent resignation of the Chairman; it was agreed that the organisation’s primary focus must be on continuing to find, investigate and refer miscarriages of justice whilst implementing the recommendations and learning from the Chris Henley KC review. The executive updated the Board in respect of staff morale and outlined the opportunities for staff to talk and to raise any concerns that they may have.
4. Casework Report
The report was noted and questions invited. The Director of Casework Operations confirmed that the first mandatory DNA training session had been delivered and further sessions from additional speakers had been scheduled.
In respect of performance management within casework, the Casework Operations Director reported that a CRM competency framework had been introduced to support the work that GLs were already doing both formally and informally and that further work would be undertaken in relation to the drafting of Statements of Reasons. The Head of Casework was also using the CRM competency framework to develop a GL competency framework, the management elements of which could be rolled out to other managers within the organisation.
In respect of IT, the CEO asked Commissioners to email the Finance & Corporate Services Director if and when they came across issues to facilitate continuous improvement. It was agreed the Finance & Corporate Services Director would bring a paper to the Board.
The Casework Operations Director assured the Board that the Forensic Opportunities Programme is to be a standing item for the Board.
5. Commissioner Peer Review
The Director of Casework Operations’ paper was noted; it followed on from her September 2024 paper to the Board. She reported that GIAA, as part of their independent internal audit function, recommended that the Commission should ensure they assess the quality of Commissioner decision making by introducing a peer review process. The Director asked the Board to agree to the introduction of peer review, or to a trial of it, so that peer review is firmly in place for the arrival of new Commissioners.
The Board noted the views expressed by Commissioners and the concerns about resourcing. The Director estimated that two days per Commissioner per year was required to adopt the original proposal and that resourcing was not an issue.
There was a discussion of whether to await the arrival of the Interim Chair and it was agreed that the Director of Casework Operations (with the assistance of Commissioner Mr Brown) would introduce a pilot if 2 Commissioners would volunteer to participate. This would be in addition to inviting Commissioners to suggest other approaches, and in addition to Commissioner College which would give a basis to determine how to go forwards.
6. Business Plan
The Board thanked the Head of Performance & Planning for his paper which was very informative and helpful.
7. Any other business
The Finance & Corporate Service Director informed the Board that the MOJ had started a Zero Based Review (ZBR) commission focusing on the 2025/26 budget allocation. Subsequent ZBR phases will focus on RDEL budgets from 2026-27 to 2028-29 and CDEL budgets from 2026-27 to 2029-2030. The ZBR commission was requested by HMT who are seeking savings from all Government departments. The Board would be kept updated.
8. Date of next meeting
Set for 14 April 2025.
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Our archive of meetings goes back to April 2020, allowing you to review the decisions and discussions made by the Commission since then.