Press releases

  • CCRC Chairman Helen Pitcher’s letter to The Spectator, submitted 23/08/2019

    See below for the text of a letter from the Chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Helen Pitcher OBE to The Spectator, submitted on 23/08/2019. It relates to Matthew Scott’s online article of 16/08/2019. Sir, Your report (Coffee House, 16 August 2019) “Kicking criminals is easy, but who will speak up for the accused?”, … Read more >

  • Commission refers the case of Tracey Newell to the Court of Appeal.

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of Tracey Newell to the Court of Appeal. On 29 November 2012, at Inner London Crown, Ms Newell pleaded guilty to seven counts of benefit fraud. The counts related to claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit covering the period from 1 August 2005 to 5 … Read more >

  • CCRC Chairman Helen Pitcher’s letter to The Times re: “Ministers bullied justice watchdog” article.

    This letter was submitted to The Times on July 30 in relation to an article that appeared the day before. It was not published so we have made it available here. Sir, I take issue with your article “Ministers bullied justice watchdog, lawyers claim” (Times 29 July). The CCRC has never had any problem standing … Read more >

  • Commission refers conviction of Mr C for appeal

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of RC to the Crown Court. Mr C is an Iranian national who was involved over a number of years with anti-government activity in his country. He was imprisoned on a number of occasions and tortured. In March 2011, in fear of his life, he fled … Read more >

  • Commission publishes report from its review of disclosure in CCRC case sample

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission’s internal review of disclosure is now complete, and the CCRC is today publishing a report of its findings on that review. The CCRC’s report makes 11 recommendations for improvements to how disclosure issues are approached, both within the CCRC’s own casework and by the wider Criminal Justice System. The CCRC … Read more >

  • CCRC Annual Report and Accounts 2018/19 laid in Parliament

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2018/19  was laid in Parliament on Thursday July 18th. The Annual Report and Accounts for 2018/19 sets out facts and figures in relation to the performance and finances of the independent public body established 20 years ago to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice. A PDF … Read more >

  • Six new Commissioners appointed to Criminal Cases Review Commission

    Six new Commissioners have been appointed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. CCRC Commissioners are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. These appointments bring to 13 the number of current CCRC Commissioners. The new Commissioners are: … Read more >

  • Commission refers the terrorism related case of Michael Devine to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of Michael Devine to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. Mr Devine[1] was convicted in Belfast Crown Court in February 1981 of ten offences including attempted murder, firearms offences, conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, and membership of a proscribed organisation. He pleaded not … Read more >

  • Commission refers the case of Ms E to the Crown Court

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of SE to the Crown Court. Ms E arrived at Gatwick Airport on a flight from Turkey in September 2009. She presented herself at Immigration Control without a passport saying she was an Iranian national who wished to claim asylum. She said she had been involved … Read more >

  • Commission refers the terrorism related case of Nicholas Roddis to the Court of Appeal

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of Nicholas Roddis to the Court of Appeal. Mr Roddis pleaded not guilty at Leeds Crown Court in July 2008 to charges of placing a hoax bomb with intent and engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism. Mr Roddis was arrested and charged in … Read more >