Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Deferred
Explaining CCRC referral decisions would increase transparency and rebuild public trust.
Recommendation
There is merit in Amanda Pearce’s suggestion that the CCRC should be able to explain its decisions on whether to refer cases to the appeal courts. This would allow for greater transparency which would aid proper scrutiny of the Commission’s decisions. This might go some way towards rebuilding public trust in the CCRC. (Conclusion, Paragraph 45)
Government Response Summary
The government has deferred action on the CCRC explaining its decisions by referring the matter to an interim Chair's review, which will consider the issue of prohibition of disclosure and make recommendations if it finds it hampers effectiveness.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The terms of reference for the interim Chair’s review – which were shared with the Committee on 30 June 2025 and are included as Annex A – include: Effectiveness: The extent to which the organisation is operating effectively to deliver the CCRC’s statutory responsibilities, including the understanding and application of the ‘real possibility’ test, and the CCRC’s processes for oversight and quality control of casework. The Ministry of Justice has asked the interim Chair to consider the issue of prohibition of disclosure and, if she concludes that this is hampering the effectiveness of the CCRC, to include this in her recommendations.