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In the last three years, more than 100 miscarriages of justice have been quashed following CCRC referrals
The first step in challenging a conviction or sentence is typically applying directly to the Appeal Courts. If that has been unsuccessful (or if you pleaded guilty in a Magistrates' Court), you can apply for a CCRC review of your case.
More information

Academic research

The CCRC seeks to stimulate serious independent academic research that will benefit the criminal justice system.

In doing so, the CCRC has allowed controlled access to its casework records to assist projects exploring topics of practical use and interest.

Our completed research includes papers on;

Ongoing academic research includes;

  • Witness Testimony (Dr Rebecca Helm – Exeter University)
  • Digital Evidence (Professor Michele Burnham and team – Glasgow University)
  • Human Trafficking (Professor Richard Vogler and team – Sussex University)
  • Young Offenders (PhD student – Northumbria University)
  • The CCRC applicant experience – Legal Aid Research Stage 6 (Dr Lucy Welsh, Sussex University) 

Interested in proposing a research project to the CCRC?

Anyone interested in proposing an academic research project to the Commission should consider the following documents:

Research process notes

Notes for submission of a full research proposal

CCRC Criteria for assessing research proposals

CCRC Confidentiality Agreement

Information about CCRC data sets

We also recommend that you make yourself aware of existing research.

All researchers will be required to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement before access to CCRC records can be given.

If you have a query in relation to research with the CCRC, please email us at research@ccrc.gov.uk

CCRC Call for Research Proposals – Summer 2023

The CCRC’s Research Committee is currently inviting new proposals for research projects with the CCRC. Such projects can be of any length and on any subject provided that the research is of arguable benefit to the CCRC and to the wider criminal justice system.

The deadline for the submission of an initial proposal is close of business on Monday 11 September 2023. The CCRC will hold an information webinar on 21 July 2023 at 11am regarding our processes and data.

For further details about the call for research proposals, see this information sheet:

CCRC Research Call 2023