Leadership of the Criminal Cases Review Commission

Justice Committee Open Non-inquiry session
Opened: 26 Mar 2025 Parliament page
7 Recommendations
35 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
3 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 7 events
29 Jul
2025
Report published
1 Jul
2025
Correspondence
23 May
2025
Report published
21 May
2025
Correspondence
13 May
2025
Correspondence
29 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
29 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
29 Apr 2025
View on parliament.uk
Work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission
Amanda Pearce · Criminal Cases Review Commission Karen Kneller · Criminal Cases Review Commission
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report - Leadership of the Criminal Cases Review Commission HC 749 23 May 2025 42 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
Clear
1 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Share independent panel report into former CCRC Chair with Board and commissioners.
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice shares the independent panel report into the former CCRC Chair with the CCRC’s Board and the commissioners. (Recommendation, Paragraph 3) The CCRC’s approach to Andrew Malkinson’s acquittal and the Henley report Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating they have informed the independent panel members that the report will be shared with the CCRC’s Board and Commissioners.
Ministry of Justice
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9 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
CCRC wrongly dismissed systemic implications of Henley report findings, damaging public confidence.
In our view, Chris Henley KC’s assessment of the work done by the CCRC was damning. It is true of course that the review focused only on one case, but it is also clear beyond doubt that Chris Henley KC’s … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees the handling of the report damaged the CCRC's reputation and confirms the Lord Chancellor has tasked the interim Chair with a review. This review includes assessing the CCRC's effectiveness in delivering its statutory responsibilities, including its understanding of the 'real possibility' test and quality control of casework.
Ministry of Justice
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11 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Consider the impact of Criminal Appeal Act 1995 disclosure prohibition on CCRC functions.
The forthcoming review of the organisation should consider the impact on the Commission of the prohibition on disclosure set out in section 23 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46) 45
Government Response
The Ministry of Justice has asked the interim Chair to specifically consider the impact of the prohibition on disclosure (section 23 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995) and to include recommendations if it is found to hamper the CCRC's effectiveness.
Ministry of Justice
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12 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Future CCRC chair must be transparent about organisational flaws and necessary changes.
We support the conclusions of the Westminster Commission and some of the comments made by Karen Kneller regarding the interim chair. The chair should be someone who is not afraid to be honest about the flaws of the CCRC and … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees the Chair should be dedicated to identifying miscarriages of justice and upholding independence, stating these qualities will be tested during the recruitment of the next permanent Chair. They will consider a blend of skills and the interim Chair's views, ensuring the candidate can inspire confidence and engage stakeholders.
Ministry of Justice
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14 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Former CCRC Chair's multiple roles contributed to perceived lack of focus and CCRC failings.
The former Chair held multiple executive roles which gave the perception of a lack of focus and may have contributed to the CCRC’s failings. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)
Government Response
The Ministry of Justice agrees the Chair should be fully dedicated to the CCRC's mission and will ensure this commitment is tested during the recruitment process for the next permanent Chair. They will decide on the required time commitment and consult the Committee, also considering the interim Chair's reflections on appointment terms.
Ministry of Justice
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15 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Require the next permanent or interim CCRC Chair to be solely dedicated to the organisation.
The next permanent chair or interim chair of the CCRC should be dedicated to the organisation above all other duties. (Recommendation, Paragraph 50)
Government Response
The Ministry of Justice agrees the Chair should be fully dedicated to the CCRC's mission and will ensure this commitment is tested during the recruitment process for the next permanent Chair. They will define the required time commitment, consult the Committee, and consider the interim Chair's reflections on appointment terms.
Ministry of Justice
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17 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Require pre-appointment scrutiny for the next permanent CCRC Chair due to recent failings.
We reiterate the importance of our request for pre-appointment scrutiny of the next permanent chair. We believe this is vital given the recent failings of the CCRC and the shortcomings of the previous chair. (Conclusion, Paragraph 54)
Government Response
The government confirms that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has agreed to add the CCRC Chair to the list of roles subject to pre-appointment scrutiny.
Ministry of Justice
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27 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Increase CCRC Board commissioners and review corporate structure and decision-making processes.
The interim chair’s review should consider the impact of this change, with a view to substantially increasing the number of commissioners on the CCRC Board. The review should also consider whether the current corporate structure of the organisation and its … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms the interim Chair's review will evaluate the effectiveness of the CCRC's governance, structure, and operational efficiency, including the structural relationship between Commissioners and the Board, directly aligning with the recommendation's call for review.
Ministry of Justice
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39 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Require interim chair's review to propose improvements for commissioner-leadership team relationship.
We recommend that the interim chair’s review considers how the relationship between the commissioners and the senior leadership team can be made to operate more effectively. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102)
Government Response
The Ministry of Justice confirms that the interim Chair's review's terms of reference explicitly include evaluating the structural relationship between the Commissioners, Body Corporate, Board, and Executive, directly addressing the committee's recommendation.
Ministry of Justice
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42 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Leadership of the Cri…
Karen Kneller's incomplete evidence renders her position as CCRC Chief Executive untenable.
We cannot perform our scrutiny function if witnesses provide incomplete or partial responses to our questions. The information provided since the session establishes that Karen Kneller omitted important information that would have provided a more accurate account of how the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns and confirms that the former Chief Executive, Karen Kneller, resigned from her role on 2 July 2025, which provides an opportunity to refresh leadership and restore confidence.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 42 of 7 classified
Accepted 10
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 14
Deferred 13
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 2
Total 7 recs + 35 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
1 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor, dated 28 June 2025: Terms of Reference for the Interim Chair's Review of the Criminal Cases Review Commission
Parliament page
21 May 2025 Correspondence to Karen Kneller, Chief Executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, dated 21 May 2025: Further clarification on 2023/24 'Other Expenditure'
Parliament page
13 May 2025 Correspondence from Karen Kneller, Chief Executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and Amanda Pearce, Casework Operations Director at the Criminal Cases Review Commission, dated 13 May 2025 relating to the oral evidence session held on 29 April 2025
Parliament page