The Criminal Cases Review Commission

The Criminal Cases Review Commission is an independent body responsible for investigating suspected Miscarriages of Criminal Justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its jurisdiction does not extend to Scotland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. The Commission has fourteen members supported by caseworkers and administrative staff. The Commission's principal role is to review the convictions of those who believe they have either been wrongly found guilty of a criminal offence, or wrongly sentenced.

The Commission can seek further information relating to a case, carry out its own investigations, or arrange for others to do so. Once the investigations have been completed to the Commission's satisfaction, it decides whether or not to refer the case to the appropriate Appeal Court.

Background to the Criminal Cases Review Commission

Until 31 March 1997, applications were made to the Home Secretary under Section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968. In Northern Ireland, application was made to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, under Section 14 of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980. The Secretaries of State could refer cases to the Court of Appeal. In practice, this power was exercised in cases where there was new evidence or where some other consideration of substance had emerged after the trial. On 14 March 1991 the Home Secretary announced the establishment of a Royal Commission on Criminal Justice to be chaired by Viscount Runciman of Doxford.

The Royal Commission was charged with examining the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice system in securing the conviction of the guilty and the acquittal of the innocent. In making the announcement, the Home Secretary referred to such cases as the Birmingham Six, which had raised serious issues of concern to all, and the undermining of public confidence when the arrangements for criminal justice failed.

The Royal Commission's report was presented to Parliament in July 1993. It recommended the establishment of an independent body:-

•  to consider suspected miscarriages of justice;
•  to arrange for their investigation where appropriate; and
•  to refer cases to the Court of Appeal where the investigation revealed matters that ought to be considered further by the Courts.

The Criminal Appeal Act 1995 was subsequently passed, enabling the establishment of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, as an executive Non Departmental Public Body on 1 January 1997. The Commission started handling casework from 31 March 1997.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has three further responsibilities:-

-  The Court of Appeal may ask the Commission to help in settling an issue which it needs to resolve before it can decide a case;
-  The Home Secretary can ask the Commission for advice when he is considering advising Her Majesty the Queen to issue a Royal Pardon;
-  The Commission can refer cases to the Home Secretary where it feels a Royal Pardon should be considered.

Please note: the CCRC, will often tell you that they only deal with "Exceptional Circumstances" If you have not appealed…the CCRC will have to consider if there are "Exceptional Circumstances".

CCRC postal address is:

Criminal Cases Review Commission
Alpha Tower
Suffolk Street Queensway
Birmingham
B1 1TT

DX address (a mail system often used by solicitors) is:

DX: 715466 Birmingham 41

Switchboard and main fax numbers are:

Telephone: 0121 633 1800
Fax: 0121 633 1823