Recommendation 38

We are concerned that the current structure of the CCRC does not appear to be functioning as it should. The Criminal Appeal Act 1995 created the CCRC as a body corporate, with the commissioners as members of the Commission, vested with the statutory functions to investigate and refer miscarriages of justice to the courts. At present, it appears that the relationship between the commissioners and the senior leadership team is not operating effectively. The absence of a chair, or even an interim chair, since January appears to have caused significant difficulties. The Ministry of Justice must take a degree of responsibility for not putting a plan in place to replace Helen Pitcher. (Conclusion, Paragraph 101)