Skip to content
© Copyright, Criminal Cases Review Commission 2025.

CCRC Annual Report Published

Published:

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred 31 cases to the appeal courts in the year 2024-2025, an increase of 24% on the previous year. 

The figure is in the CCRC’s Annual Report, which has been published today [Thursday 17 July 2025]. 

The CCRC is the independent public body set up to find, investigate and, where appropriate, refer potential miscarriages of justice to the courts. Since its creation in 1997, the CCRC has referred more than 870 cases. 

The CCRC is the last stage of the criminal justice system. Where it finds important evidence or argument which wasn’t heard at trial or appeal and might reasonably have made a difference to the outcome, the CCRC will refer the case to the appeal courts.  

Of 27 appeals heard in 2024/2025, following a CCRC referral, 18 were allowed and nine dismissed.  

The Annual Report includes a selection of referral case-studies, which feature in the CCRC’s online recently-launched Case Library and Case Studies Hub. This resource has been designed to help inform potential applicants and members of the public about the CCRC’s work.  

During the year 2024-2025, the CCRC received 1,541 applications, an average of 4.2 per day. 

The Annual Report also describes the Forensic Opportunities Programme, set up to re-examine cases where new forensic techniques might prove crucial. 

Notes to editors 

  • The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for independently reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is based in Birmingham and is funded by the Ministry of Justice. 
  • There are currently ten Commissioners who bring to the CCRC considerable experience from a wide variety of backgrounds. Commissioners are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. 
  • The CCRC considers whether, as a result of new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that the conviction would not be upheld were a reference to be made. New evidence or argument is argument or evidence which has not been raised during the trial or on appeal. Applicants should usually have appealed first. A case can be referred in the absence of new evidence or argument or an earlier appeal only if there are “exceptional circumstances.” 
  • If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe or the sentence unfair. 
  • More details about the role and work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission can be found at www.ccrc.gov.uk. The CCRC can be found on Twitter @ccrcupdate and Instagram the_ccrc