Leadership of the CCRC

UPDATED 6 June 2025

Mr Andrew Malkinson spent more than 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, plus a further three under probation supervision before his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in July 2023 - - Malkinson, R. v [2023] EWCA Crim 954 (07 August 2023).  

An inquiry is currently investigating the handling of the case by Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The inquiry will cover the handling of the case prior to Mr Malkinson’s conviction and his subsequent applications to appeal.   - Andrew Malkinson Inquiry

In January 2025,

Helen Pitcher, the Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) resigned following criticism of how the CCRC had handled the Andrew Malkinson case - Previous post 15 January 2024 - Chair of CCRC resigns. This criticism came in a report, published in May 2024, by Chris Henley KC - see the Report.

The House of Commons Justice Committee has now called for the CCRC's Chief Executive (Karen Kneller) to be replaced - CCRC Leadership 'unable to learn from its own mistakes', with 'root and branch reform' required - (Justice Committee 3rd report Session 2024-25 HC 749).

MPs on the cross-party Committee chaired by Andy Slaughter MP concluded: “As a result of our concerns regarding the performance of the CCRC and the unpersuasive evidence Karen Kneller provided to the Committee, we no longer feel that it is tenable for her to continue as Chief Executive of the CCRC”

What the future holds for the CCRC is currently questionable. What will the 'root and branch reform' actually require. There is no clear answer given the fact that the body requires a new Chair and, after the Justice Committee report, almost certainly a new Chief Executive. 

Please also see The Court of Appeal Criminal Division - Notes for Students

UPDATE 3 June 2025

Dame Vera Baird KC appointed as Chair of the CCRC - BBC News. 'Dame Vera Baird, a former victims commissioner and government minister, has been appointed the new chair of the embattled Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The barrister, who has also been a Police and Crime Commissioner, will take up the post on an interim basis and lead a major review into the miscarriages of justice agency.'