Most criminal case review applicants are unrepresented, says CCRC chief

Karen Kneller explains CCRC’s focus on supporting unrepresented applicants amid funding concerns

Karen Kneller, the Chief Executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), recently told MPs that most applicants for criminal case reviews are unrepresented, raising concerns about the limited support available. During a House of Commons justice committee session, Kneller defended the CCRC’s value for money and called for more funding to enhance the body’s ability to assist applicants in need.

Appearing alongside Amanda Pearce, the CCRC’s Casework Operations Director, Kneller responded to questions from Labour MP Sarah Russell about the commission’s running costs. Russell noted that the CCRC’s budget had risen from £6.5 million in 2022/23 to £9.5 million in 2023/24, despite only making 30 referrals in the previous year. She questioned whether the £10 million annual expenditure was justified given the limited number of cases referred.

Kneller, a barrister, explained, “I’m not sure that is a question for me to answer, but I would say every referral we make is valuable. No one has suggested what the ‘right number’ of referrals should be. The majority of cases we review don’t contain evidence that would lead to a successful referral.”

Kneller’s comments highlight the difficulty of determining the effectiveness of the CCRC’s funding, as its work involves carefully evaluating a significant volume of cases that don’t always result in successful referrals. Pearce echoed this sentiment, explaining that the CCRC must review all the cases that come through, which amounts to approximately 1,500-1,600 cases annually, despite only referring a small fraction.

When asked about the “right number” of referrals, Pearce added, “There isn’t a ‘right number’ of referrals. We can only refer cases that meet the statutory test for a successful referral.” This highlights the rigorous standards the CCRC must adhere to when determining whether a case warrants further investigation.

Despite the seemingly low referral rate, both Kneller and Pearce emphasised the importance of reviewing each case thoroughly to identify those that meet the necessary criteria. They stressed that the process is vital in ensuring justice is served and that the CCRC’s resources are being used effectively.

Kneller’s remarks come as the commission faces increased scrutiny over its funding and effectiveness, with some MPs questioning whether its budget is justified by the low number of successful case reviews. However, the CCRC maintains that its careful, thorough review process ensures only those cases that meet a high standard of evidence are referred for further investigation