Why do we need the ccrc

The precise number will depend on various factors including the skill set of the candidates; the fit across the Commissioner body; and capacity in terms of the number of days candidates can offer. Incoming Commissioners must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality and diversity. Our search for new Commissioners also includes appointing at least one Northern Ireland Commissioner. This person does not need to be a lawyer and does not need to be based in Northern Ireland.

While all posts are open to lawyers and non-lawyers alike, the Commission needs to ensure that at least some of the new Commissioners have recent experience of criminal practice to replace those with this experience who are leaving.

The CCRC has recently changed its policy in respect of Commissioners being able to hold posts simultaneously in the criminal justice system. It encourages and welcomes applications from candidates who also hold posts in the criminal justice system which do not raise an issue in respect of conflict.

The CCRC considers that posts which do raise an unacceptable level of conflict include lawyers representing those involved in criminal cases or lawyers sitting or working in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division. Our policy can be found at www.

It is essential that Commissioners are, and are seen to be, independent and impartial; all applicants must clearly set out any perceived conflict of interest in the supporting documents. In addition to the above criteria, candidates for the Northern Ireland Commissioner must also have.

Candidates may be invited to complete a critical reasoning test and take part in a casework scenario group exercise as part of the selection process. You do not need any legal knowledge to complete this exercise which has been prepared so that it is equally accessible to candidates who are not legally qualified. Accept all cookies Reject optional cookies Set cookie preferences. The CCRC is the Criminal Cases Review Commission, an independent body set up to investigate cases where it is suspected that there has been a miscarriage of justice.

The Commission are completely impartial and have the power to obtain information from public bodies to further investigate your case. The CCRC will consider all the evidence and circumstances relating to your case, and if they feel that you have a good chance of getting a different outcome based on new information, they will send your case back to be re-examined in the appeal courts.

If you have not appealed in the usual way through the courts, the CCRC will ask you to appeal in the normal way first, before applying to them. The CCRC will not normally consider a case without solid grounds for a fresh appeal — disagreeing with the outcome of a trial is not in itself a reason to appeal. This means that unless new evidence has come to light since the original trial, or a whole new argument that has the potential to impact your case has since surfaced, the CCRC are unlikely to consider your case.

The CCRC refers very few cases along so you need to ensure that applying is the right course of action, and that you maximise the chance of your appeal being successful. The right solicitor will do everything that they can for you — they will help you to determine in the first instance whether applying to the CCRC is the right course of action for you. If they are confident that your application stands a good chance, they will help you to go through the evidence and to present your application.

Draycott Browne employ expert solicitors who understand the CCRC application process and will give you the best chance to appeal your sentence or conviction. Under the Criminal Appeal Act , the CCRC have powers to obtain information from public bodies, including local councils, the CPS, and the police, which is often unobtainable by anyone else.

This can turn up important evidence which may impact your case. They can request that documents pertinent to your case are presented and preserved. They have the power to re-interview existing witnesses who were involved in your trial, and also to interview new witnesses. If the CCRC think that there is a good chance that your conviction was unsafe and could be quashed, or that the sentence that you have been given could be changed, based on new evidence available, they will refer you back to an appeal court for re-examination.

They will prepare a Statement of Reasons, outlining their reasons for doing so, and will give a copy to anyone who is likely to be involved in the proceedings. These procedures will be decided and made publicly available after the Commissioners have been appointed. Decisions on appointment of Commissioners will be made in Between three and seven Commissioners will be appointed.

Criminal Cases Review Commission external link. On the Commission's website you can find key information about the Commission, including the application form, how the Commission will operate and biographies about the Commissioners. Read newsletters from the Chief Commissioner Colin Carruthers about the establishment of the Commission:.

Its membership includes people from a range of backgrounds who will provide important expertise and different perspectives. To enhance the Commission's independence and be free from perceived or real political interference, its office is based in Hamilton, separate from the judiciary and current justice institutions.