Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted in Part
Mandate the CCRC Chair demonstrate criminal justice expertise and commitment to upholding CCRC independence.
Conclusion
The Chair should have a background in criminal justice, have recognised experience in that field and, above all, be absolutely dedicated to the CCRC’s purpose of identifying miscarriages of justice and upholding its independence. (Recommendation, Paragraph 48)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Chair should be dedicated to the CCRC's purpose and independence, and will test these attributes during recruitment. While acknowledging previous person specifications made criminal justice experience desirable, they will seek a suitably qualified candidate with a blend of skills and will consider the interim Chair's views on essential qualities.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
We agree that the Chair of the CCRC should be absolutely dedicated to the CCRC’s purpose of identifying miscarriages of justice and upholding its independence. These are attributes that we expect to be tested during the campaign to recruit the next permanent Chair alongside other criteria deemed to be essential to the role. In identifying Dame Vera Baird for the role of interim Chair, the Lord Chancellor is confident she has these qualities. In the person specification for the recruitment of the previous Chair, a desirable criterion was ‘experience of, or interest in, the criminal justice system’. The person specification for the next permanent Chair, including essential and desirable criteria, will be subject to Ministerial decision, as per the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments3. A successful Chair requires a blend of skills and it is important that the person specification can capture the widest range of potential candidates who will bring the best mix of experience and ability. The Committee can be assured that the Ministry of Justice will be looking to recruit a suitably qualified candidate who can address the challenges the CCRC faces. This includes inspiring confidence in its role for applicants and the public, and engaging constructively with stakeholders. We will also consider the views of the interim Chair on what qualities are essential for the next Chair, following completion of her review. The Justice Committee will have the ability to scrutinise the qualities it believes are important for the role at during pre-appointment scrutiny (see paragraph 19.)