An interim chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission has been appointed - filling a vacancy which had remained unfilled for almost six months.
Dame Vera Baird KC’s term will run from June 2025 to December 2026 ahead of a permanent appointment being made.
The organisation recently came under fire in the Commons justice committee’s report Leadership of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which concluded that the CCRC had shown ‘remarkable inability to learn from its mistakes’, having been without a chair after Helen Pitcher resigned in January this year.
As chair of the CCRC, Dame Vera will be responsible for leading the board and setting the core purpose of the organisation, maintaining public trust and confidence and supporting the CCRC’s leadership.
Dame Vera has been tasked 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 have confidence in the organisation again’.
The review will look into the CCRC’s governance and leadership, its capability in investigating potential miscarriages of justice and the organisation’s internal culture, as well as whether the organisation provides value for money.
Read more
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 CCRC, I want her review to restore its role uncovering and rectifying historical injustices.’
Dame Vera, a barrister and former Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, 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.’
A CCRC spokesperson said the organisation was ‘delighted’ with Dame Vera’s appointment, adding she 'brings decades of experience in the criminal justice system and a strong commitment to ensuring justice for all'.
They added: ‘Everyone at the CCRC looks forward to working with her to continue our mission to find, investigate and send potential miscarriages of justice back to the courts.’
This article is now closed for comment.
8 Readers' comments