Tag: Ministry of Justice

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2025.

His Majesty The King has approved the reappointment of Douglas Marshall as the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.

His Majesty The King, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, has approved the reappointment – for 5 years from 1 March 2026 – of Douglas Marshall as Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.

The reappointment of the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and has been made under Paragraph 1 of Schedule 13 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

Biography

Douglas Marshall is Pathways to Impact Manager at Childlight; Global Child Safety Institute based in Edinburgh, working to combat the global pandemic of child abuse. His previous career included 30 years’ service with Cumbria Constabulary retiring as a senior detective. At the latter end of his service, he was the Deputy National Co-ordinator on Operation Hydrant (the national policing response, oversight, and co-ordination of non-recent child sexual abuse). He returned to Cumbria Constabulary completing five years as a Police Staff Senior Investigating Officer. During his police service he was Senior Investigating Officer on several high-profile cases in Cumbria. He is formerly a director of a private investigation company in Scotland and has a consultancy for investigations.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2025.

Vulnerable individuals at risk of eviction and homelessness will find it easier to access legal services, thanks to a historic boost in civil legal aid funding confirmed today (2 July) by Minister Sarah Sackman.

Following feedback from a consultation into civil legal aid, the Government will uplift the rates paid for all housing and immigration legal aid work. Providers will see significant increases in all fees, with the overall spending in these categories increasing by 24% for housing work and 30% for immigration work. This represents a significant investment – the first since 1996 – resulting in an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.

This extra funding means more people will get the support they need, when they need it – reducing stress and preventing delays in housing cases. At the same time, it will help speed up decision-making in immigration cases, ensuring a fairer, faster process for everyone involved. This is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make the justice system more efficient, fair and accessible.

Justice Minister, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said:

This vital investment marks a turning point for civil legal aid by boosting funding to build capacity in the sector, helping to enable individuals, regardless of background or income, to uphold their legal rights.

As part of our Plan for Change we are ensuring that our legal aid providers can deliver vital support where it’s needed most.

This investment will help to ensure effective access to justice for some of the most vulnerable in our society, supporting a more stable and sustainable legal aid sector – one that is fit for the future and attracts and retains the brightest and the best practitioners.

Later this week a separate consultation on uplifting fees for criminal legal aid for solicitors by up to £92 million will conclude. It’s part of the Government’s wider work to invest in the legal aid system and deliver swifter justice for victims alongside Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of criminal courts.

Notes to editors:

On Civil Legal Aid Consultation

• The Government ran a consultation on increasing legal aid fees for those working in the housing (housing and debt) and immigration (immigration and asylum) sectors, proposing to increase fees to a rate in the region of £65/£69 per hour (non-London/London), or provide a 10% uplift, whichever is higher. Fixed fees will be uplifted by the same percentage as the increase in the underlying hourly rate for that work. This will be implemented as soon as operationally possible with costs scaling up to £20m at steady state. This will increase overall spend by 24% for housing and 30% for immigration.
• The changes would mean for example that the fixed fee for Housing work will increase by 42% from £157 to £223 and the fixed fee for asylum legal help will increase by 35% from £413 to £559.
• Evidence from the Review of Civil Legal Aid (RoCLA) Call for Evidence included responses from providers that aspects of the current Civil Legal Aid contractual requirements can be unnecessarily restrictive. The consultation sought to gather further evidence for improvements to arrangements for remote advice and face-to-face advice based on client needs.
• We plan to implement these fee uplifts as soon as operationally possible.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 July 2025.

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has confirmed that Cindy Butts is the preferred candidate for appointment to the role of Standing Advocate.

The Independent Public Advocate, established by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, will be a new statutory office with a permanent Standing Advocate to support victims of major incidents.

The Standing Advocate will ensure victims of major incidents understand their rights and can access vital emotional and practical support from the outset. The IPA can also advise the government on the type of review that should take place following a major incident. This will help relay victims’ views directly into the heart of government when deciding whether answers need to be sought, lessons need to be learned, and authorities held to account.

Cindy Butts has been selected as the preferred candidate for the role of Standing Advocate following a rigorous recruitment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The role, which is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, is subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to the appointment process.

Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence before a candidate is appointed. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

Cindy Butts biography

Cindy Butts is a highly accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to enhancing access to justice and tackling inequality. She has held senior roles in complex and sensitive organisations within the criminal justice, policing, and government sectors.

Cindy chaired the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), appointed by the ECB, publishing the landmark “Holding up A Mirror to Cricket” report in June 2023.

She has a comprehensive track record of supporting victims and working with vulnerable people, focussing on putting their needs first.

Having dedicated her career to public service, Ms Butts brings decades of experience handling high-profile and sensitive issues. This includes as Commissioner at the Independent Police Complaints Commission when they investigated the police response to the Hillsborough disaster. Ms Butts also oversaw the significant transformation of the Metropolitan Police Service in the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, an inquiry prompted by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence and a true turning point for justice and equality for victims of crime.

Currently, she carries out consultancy work in the UK and internationally. Cindy also serves as a Lay Member of the House of Lords Conduct Committee (August 2019-current), where she reviews conduct rules and adjudicates appeals. She is also a Senior Independent Panel Member for public appointment assessment panels in various government departments (April 2004 – Current), providing independent oversight on Non-Executive Director recruitment.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 July 2025.

Victims of major incidents will be better supported following Cindy Butts’ selection as preferred candidate for the Independent Public Advocate (IPA).

Ms Butts has a comprehensive track record of supporting victims and working with vulnerable people – specialising in putting their needs first.

Having dedicated her career to public service, Ms Butts brings decades of experience handling high-profile and sensitive issues.

This includes as Commissioner at the Independent Police Complaints Commission whilst they investigated the police response to the Hillsborough disaster. Remarkably, she also oversaw the significant transformation of the Metropolitan Police Service in the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry – this was prompted by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence and a true turning point for justice and equality for victims of crime.

In her role as IPA, Ms Butts will ensure victims of major incidents understand their rights and can access vital emotional and practical support from the get-go.

Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, said:

The Independent Public Advocate will transform our response to major disasters, ensuring victims’ voices are heard above all else.

Cindy’s experience overseeing system reform following some of the most prolific cases of injustice in modern memory more than qualifies her for this role. I have every faith that she will provide victims the support they deserve.

The IPA will also be able to advise the Government on the type of review that should take place following a major incident. This will help relay victims’ views directly into the heart of Government when deciding whether answers need to be sought, lessons need to be learned, and authorities held to account.

Cindy Butts said:

I am deeply honoured to be named the Government’s preferred candidate for the Independent Public Advocate role.

Throughout my career, I have been steadfastly committed to championing fairness and ensuring that the voices of those who have experienced profound loss or injustice are heard, respected, and placed at the heart of our efforts for truth and accountability.

I look forward to working diligently to uphold the vital principles of care and support, ensuring that individuals and families receive the dedicated support and advocacy they deserve during their most challenging times. This role is a profound responsibility, and I am ready to begin the work of making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Nabil Choucair, Grenfell Tower Trust, said:

As someone who lost loved ones in the Grenfell Tower fire, I welcome the appointment of the new Independent Public Advocate.

For families like mine, the pain of loss has been compounded by years of being dismissed, ignored, and silenced. We know all too well what it means to have our truths buried and our calls for justice delayed. Cindy’s appointment offers a glimmer of hope—but hope alone is not enough.

We are watching closely to see whether this government will match words with action, and give her the independence, resources, and authority needed to make a real difference. Anything less would be another betrayal.

Yvette Williams MBE, Justice 4 Grenfell Campaign, said:

It is powerful and necessary to see someone with a proven track record and deep commitment to justice taking on this vital role. But this appointment must be more than symbolic.

With Cindy’s experience and integrity, she has the potential to amplify the voices of those who have suffered, hold failing systems to account, and confront institutional indifference head-on.

To achieve this, she must be allowed to act with genuine independence—free from interference or political pressure—so she can earn and retain the trust of victims, survivors, bereaved families, and communities during the most painful moments of their lives.

Further information

• The IPA was established by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
• The candidate will be appointed for a five-year term.
• The role is subject to pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.
• Alongside the IPA, the Government can appoint additional advocates with relevant experience to each individual incident to support the IPA’s efforts.
• In this role, the IPA will also have the power to produce reports on a major incident for which they have been appointed without a direct request from the Lord Chancellor, providing an independent and invaluable assessment of lessons learned and recommendations to the Government and other public authorities.
• The IPA will support victims throughout the aftermath of the incident, this may include helping victims to navigate the investigations which may follow such as statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005 and inquests under the Coroner Justice Act 2009.
• The IPA will not act as a legal representative to victims.
• The definition of a major incident for the IPA is an event that occurs in England or Wales and is declared in writing by the Secretary of State to have caused the death of or serious harm to a significant number of individuals. This would cover major incidents similar to the Grenfell Tower fire, the Hillsborough disaster, and the Manchester Arena bombing.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 June 2025.

Violence is rife in overcrowded, unsafe prisons, with offenders nearly twenty per cent more likely to be involved in assaults in too full jails, new research published today reveals.

• Direct link drawn between overcrowded conditions and increased violence for first time
• Landmark sentencing reforms mean offenders who behave badly can be held in prison for longer, part of the Government’s Plan for Change
• New £40 million investment this year to tackle violence, contraband and drones

The rate of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults in men’s prisons increased by 11 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year as they operated at over 99% capacity. The rate of assaults on hard-working prison staff rose by 13 per cent during the same period.

This is the first time a direct link has been drawn between increased violence behind bars and the capacity crisis inherited by the Government that put the public at risk.

It reinforces the need for the 14,000 more prison places and landmark sentencing reforms set out by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood last month which will ensure prisons never run out of space again. The changes will help to cut reoffending and keep our streets safe, part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

Under these reforms, release from prison will be earned. Offenders who behave badly will be held in prison for longer – helping to reduce violence and drug use. It will mean staff can focus more time on rehabilitating prisoners to reduce the chance of them reoffending on release.

The Government has also announced today a £40 million investment in new security measures this year to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars. This includes £10 million on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows.

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, said:

These stark findings confirm what we’ve already seen – dangerously full prisons lead to more crime and more violence. This not only risks the safety of our hardworking staff but means our prisons are failing one of their most important functions – cutting crime.

We must end this chaos. That is why as part of our Plan for Change we are reforming sentencing and building 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. Our £40 million new investment will also help combat the flow of contraband which creates unsafe environments in our jails.

The research found that over a one-year period, crowded environments increase the likelihood of an offender being involved in a violent incident by 19 per cent.

The £40 million will fund a range of security enhancements this financial year including window replacements, CCTV and control room upgrades, vehicle gates, biometrics and floodlighting. These improved measures will boost safety, combat the influx of drone activity and clamp down on suspected wrongdoing behind bars.

It comes as the National Crime Agency – in conjunction with HM Prisons and Probation Service, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Regional Organised Crime Units – has launched a new initiative stepping up efforts to thwart criminals attempting to smuggle contraband into jails via drones.

Two senior police leads will also be embedded into the Corruption and Crime Unit within the Prison and Probation Service to enhance cooperation in tackling key areas like corruption and organised crime in prisons.

The investment builds on action the Government has already taken to protect staff from violence, including the rollout of protective body armour for prison officers working within high-security settings and a trial of tasers beginning later this summer.

The Government has set aside £7 billion to fund 14,000 extra places by 2031 to deliver the prison capacity needed to keep the public safe.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 18 June 2o25.

A sexual predator who posed as a 12-year-old to obtain explicit photos from children has sentence increased following the Solicitor General’s intervention.

Joshua Wilson (26) from Bedworth, Warwickshire, had his sentence increased by one year and ten months after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP, under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The Court heard that between May and September 2023, Wilson contacted two children on social media. He requested nude images and sent sexually explicit images of himself to one of them.

In October 2024, following his arrest and whilst on bail, Wilson contacted a nine-year-old girl on social media.

Posing as a 12-year-old boy, Wilson video called her and requested she show her genitals to him.

Wilson was also found to be in possession of numerous indecent images of children and had uploaded some onto an instant messaging service.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

Joshua Wilson’s crimes were sickening.  He sought to befriend and sexually exploit vulnerable children.

I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase his sentence following my intervention.

On 7 March 2025, Wilson was sentenced to four years imprisonment for three counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, one count of distributing indecent photographs of children, four counts of sexual communication with a child, one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act, and one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

On 17 June 2025, Wilson’s sentence was increased to five years and 10 months after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 18 June 2025.

The European Convention of Human Rights “must evolve” to restore public confidence in the rule of law, the Lord Chancellor told European ambassadors in a speech today.

Speaking to the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg, the Lord Chancellor said that while the UK is resolutely committed to the ECHR, the trust of the public is beginning to erode as the application of rights “feels out of step with common sense.”

Making her argument for reform, she said that “the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law – once widely assumed – now face distortion, doubt, even hostility.”

Speaking at the meeting, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, said:

Across Europe, public confidence in the rule of law is fraying.

There is a growing perception – sometimes mistaken, sometimes grounded in reality – that human rights are no longer a shield for the vulnerable, but a tool for criminals to avoid responsibility. That the law too often protects those who break the rules, rather than those who follow them.

This tension is not new. The Convention was written to protect individuals from the arbitrary power of the state. But in today’s world, the threats to justice and liberty are more complex. They can come from technology, transnational crime, uncontrolled migration, or legal systems that drift away from public consent.

This comes as the Government commits to legislation to clarify the law around Article 8, the right to private and family life, which many foreign offenders have exploited in order to avoid deportation. In her speech, the Lord Chancellor said that “if a foreign national commits a serious crime, they should expect to be removed from the country.”

While this Government has ramped up removals of foreign national offenders with more than 4,400 removed since the election – up 14% compared to the same period 12 months ago – further action is being taken forward to increase removals even further.

The Lord Chancellor went on to highlight the changes being made in the UK to tackle immigration – including tightening the application of Article 8 to give courts the clarity they need so our immigration rules are no longer abused. This is particularly important as the Government introduces sentencing reforms to tackle a prison system at breaking point.

The Lord Chancellor set out that:

In the UK, we are restoring the balance we pledged at the birth of our Convention: liberty with responsibility, individual rights with the public interest. There must be consequences for breaking the rules.

Which is why we are clarifying how Convention rights – particularly Article 8 – operate in relation to immigration rules. The right to family life is fundamental. But it has too often been used in ways that frustrate deportation, even where there are serious concerns about credibility, fairness, and risk to the public.

We’re bringing clarity back to the distinction between what the law protects and what policy permits. Prisoners claiming a right to socialise – under Article 8 – is not just a legal stretch. It damages the public perception of human rights altogether.

Legislation brought forward by the Home Office will strengthen the public interest test to make it clear that Parliament needs to be able to control the country’s borders and make decisions over who comes to, and stays in the UK, striking the right balance between individual family rights and the wider public interest.

It will clarify Article 8 rules and set out how they should apply in different immigration routes so that fewer cases are treated as “exceptional”.

She went on to say that:

These are the reforms we are pursuing at home. The question for all of us now is whether the Convention system, as it stands, has the tools to resolve these tensions in a way that keeps the public with us.

As I have said, our Convention has evolved before, through new protocols, new rights, and new interpretations. Always to reflect changing times, while staying true to its purpose.

However, reform of the ECHR must be “a shared political endeavour among us as member States”, the Lord Chancellor told the Council of Europe.

The Lord Chancellor concluded by saying:

The European Convention on Human Rights is one of the great achievements of post-war politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 June 2025.

Government to consult on regulation of enforcement sector as well as increase protections for those facing debt enforcement action and raise fees recoverable by bailiff firms.

• Three-pronged package of measures to deliver a fairer system of debt enforcement
• Plans to improve independent regulation of the enforcement industry to boost oversight
• Number of doorstep visits by bailiffs to be reduced to limit unfair build-up of fees

New reforms to the enforcement sector will protect the financially vulnerable and give those facing debt greater opportunity to settle at the earliest and cheapest stage possible.

Setting out plans to overhaul to the way sector operates, the Government today (Monday 9 June) outlined it will:

• Consult on plans for greater regulation of bailiff firms, including oversight from an independent body accountable to Parliament.
• Encourage earlier and cheaper settlement of debt, reducing the number of “doorstep visits” and avoiding the accumulation of enforcement fees.
• Increase fees bailiff firms can collect for the first time since 2014 to ensure a sustainable sector while better supporting people in debt. The threshold which bailiff firms can charge an additional fee will also be raised to reduce the number of people in debt paying this additional fee.

Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services Minister Sackman, said:

Debt recovery must be fair to everyone. If you’re an organisation or individual who is owed money you should be able to get it back. And if you fall into debt you should be treated fairly and supported to get back on your feet.

That is why we are reforming the enforcement sector – to safeguard debtors and creditors alike whilst building a more sustainable system.

The consultation launched today also seeks views on the role an independent statutory regulator should play in enforcement. This includes how the regulator could work with other regulatory bodies, and how it would be held to account by the Government.

While most bailiff firms have already signed up to the Enforcement Conduct Board’s voluntary accreditation scheme, the government proposals would see all bailiff firms regulated to the same standards and overseen by the same independent body, ensuring greater protections for vulnerable people.

To reduce the number of doorstep visits and help prevent people from falling into more debt through accrued enforcement fees, reforms will increase the minimum notice period which must be given before enforcement officers can visit those in debt to 14 days (from seven) – and to 28 days if requested by a debt advisor.

This will give people more time to access debt advice, and/or set up a payment agreement.

To support a fair, viable, and effective enforcement system, the fees bailiff firms can collect from those facing action will be uplifted by 5%. This is the first fee increase since 2014 and reflects the impact of rising costs on bailiff firms. To protect the interests of financially vulnerable individual, it will be made clear that creditors should not share the profits made from the use of bailiff firms and the charging of fees.

Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE said:

These reforms will help make sure those facing the enforcement system are properly protected and supported in dealing with their debts – and we won’t just stop here.

We will shortly be consulting on improvements to council tax administration including the way council tax is collected and enforced, so people can have their say in delivering a fairer system to support both vulnerable households and local councils.

Background information

• The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) was established in 2022, tasked with providing voluntary, independent oversight of the sector to ensure fair treatment for every party facing enforcement action
• The Government is consulting on how to ensure that there is independent oversight of firms that employ enforcement agents and High Court Enforcement Officers to enforce debts using the Taking Control of Goods procedure in England and Wales. The consultation will run for six weeks. Responses will inform legislation to be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows
• As set out in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Regulation Action Plan, when regulation is designed well it can be an essential tool to promote growth and investment and protect the public. We will introduce independent statutory regulation of the sector in line with the objectives in the Action Plan, and our work across Government to cut the administrative costs of regulation by 25% by the end of parliament
• The threshold above which bailiff firms can charge an additional percentage fee will be raised by 24%. Currently, an additional one-off fee of 7.5% of any debt over a set threshold can be recovered by bailiff firms if the debt reaches the enforcement (visit) stage. The 24% rise to this threshold will rebalance these fees in line with inflation and reduce the number of people in debt paying the additional fee
• The reforms to the regulations about when fees can be recovered and uplifts to the fees and thresholds will be implemented when parliamentary time allows

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 June 2025.

Frontline prison officers working in the highest risk areas of the prison estate will be issued protective body armour under swift Government action to improve their safety, the Lord Chancellor announced today (Tuesday 3 June).

• Lord Chancellor takes decisive action to protect frontline officers
• Decision follows snap review after attack on prison staff at HMP Frankland
• Independent review of separation centres ongoing

Following the horrific attack on three officers at HMP Frankland on 12 April, the Prison Service commissioned a snap review into whether protective body armour – also known as stab-proof vests – should be rolled out to staff.

The Lord Chancellor has now confirmed new protective vests will be made mandatory for prison officers working in Close Supervision Centres and Separation Centres which hold the most dangerous offenders in the estate.

Officers working with prisoners held in segregation units within the high-security estate will also benefit from the rollout.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood said:

I know this House shares my anger at recent attacks against prison officers.

After the awful events at HMP Frankland, I commissioned a review of the use of protective body armour.

Today, I can announce I will mandate its use in Close Supervision Centres, Separation Centres, and Segregation Units in the High Security Estate.

When Jonathan Hall’s independent review into the Frankland attack reports, I will take any further steps necessary to protect our brave staff.

Today’s announcement follows extensive engagement with frontline staff, trade unions and uniformed services like the police who already use protective body armour.

As part of this engagement, some staff raised concerns on armour being rolled out more widely in prisons, in particular that it could be too heavy and restrictive for everyday use. It was also noted that officers already have equipment available to them to help reduce the risk of assaults including Body Worn Video Cameras, batons, PAVA spray and handcuffs.

The review concluded that more evidence is needed before rolling out vests to all prison officers. The Lord Chancellor will now take this forward and will not hesitate to go further if needed to keep staff safe.

The Lord Chancellor confirmed last month Jonathan Hall KC will chair the independent review into the events at HMP Frankland and whether separation centres are fit for purpose.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 June 2025.

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC has been appointed as interim chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to provide hands on governance and strong leadership.

• Dame Vera Baird DBE KC appointed as interim chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
• Urgent review ordered to restore public confidence in the organisation
• Justice for the wrongfully convicted vital to Government’s Plan for Change

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC has today (3 June) been appointed as the interim Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Her appointment marks the Lord Chancellors determination to ensure the CCRC is effectively delivering its vital function investigating potential miscarriages of justice and bringing justice to those who have been wrongly convicted.

The Chair of the CCRC is responsible for leading the board, setting the vision and core purpose of the organisation,  maintaining public trust and confidence by being a visible, effective advocate and ambassador, and supporting their leadership. Dame Vera will provide hands on governance and strong leadership in the role.

The Lord Chancellor has also tasked Dame Vera with undertaking an urgent review into the running of the CCRC, ensuring lessons have been learned from the handling of previous cases and that the public can have confidence in the organisation again.

Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, said:

Miscarriages of justice have a devastating and life-long impact.

The organisation tasked with uncovering them must earn back the public’s trust in the justice system, vital to our Plan for Change.

Dame Vera will bring strong leadership to the Criminal Cases Review Commission – I want her review to restore its role uncovering and rectifying historical injustices.

Dame Vera has been tasked with reviewing the governance and leadership within the CCRC, and its capability in investigating potential miscarriages of justice. The impact of the organisation’s internal culture will be evaluated, as well as the value for money it delivers for the taxpayer.

Dame Vera, as a former defender and Victims Commissioner, understands the criminal justice system from all sides and is a long-standing advocate for fairness and justice.

Dame Vera Baird said:

When the justice system makes mistakes, as all human institutions do, from time to time,  the role of the CCRC is crucial in uncovering them – providing the only lifeline available for the wrongfully convicted.

It is vital the public can have confidence in an organisation whose constitutional importance is so central to a fair and just system.

I look forward to working alongside the many hardworking and dedicated members of staff to restore that confidence, ensuring recommendations stemming from multiple reviews over the last decade are being effectively implemented, as well as identifying further areas for improvement.

Dame Vera’s term will run from June 2025 to December 2026 ahead of a permanent appointment being made. In addition to delivering the review, the interim Chair is responsible for setting the direction of the CCRC and communicating progress with the Government – particularly in light of Chris Henley KC’s 2024 report which made major recommendations following the handling of Andrew Malkinson’s case.

The review will include but not be limited to:

• Effectiveness: The extent to which the organisation is operating effectively to deliver the CCRC’s statutory responsibilities, including the understanding and application of the ‘real possibility’ test, and the CCRC’s processes for oversight and quality control of casework.
• Performance: To evaluate the CCRC’s performance, assess whether the appropriate Key Performance Indicators and targets are in place, and ensure effective strategies and action plans are in place and implemented to improve performance. Additionally, an assessment of the robustness of the management information provided by the CCRC to its departmental sponsor, ensuring it enables effective oversight and assurance on behalf of the Principal Accounting Officer and Ministers.
• Governance: To evaluate the effectiveness of the organisation’s governance, including its structure and operational efficiency, and the effectiveness of the structural relationship between the Commissioners, the Body Corporate, the Board, and the Executive.
• Culture: To review the culture of the organisation, in particular in its approach to and interactions with applicants, potential applicants and their representatives.
• Capability: An evaluation of the senior leadership team should also be conducted to identify areas where further support or strengthening is needed, in order restore public confidence.
• Funding: To assess whether the CCRC provides value for money within its current funding levels and ensure that the funds are used effectively to achieve high-quality outcomes. To rigorously evaluate whether the CCRC delivers value for money within its existing funding envelope, ensuring that it is utilised efficiently to achieve high-quality outcomes. This assessment will focus on maximising current resources.