Criminal Cases Review Commission
Set up in 1995 in response to public concern after a series of well-publicised miscarriages of justice had come to light, this is the last resort for a dissatisfied defendant.
You can ask the Commission to review your case. They have the power to investigate and to refer Crown Court cases back to the Court of Appeal, or Magistrates' Court cases back to the Crown Court on appeal. They should not normally do so unless they are satisfied that there is 'a real possibility' that the verdict or sentence passed would not be upheld.
However, the Commission is restricted in that referrals can only be based on arguments or evidence not raised in the original hearing or appeal unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'. As a result, you cannot simply regard the Commission as a court of final appeal but rather as a means of bringing possible miscarriages of justice back into the court system where further information comes to light or there is continuing public concern.
Criminal Cases Review Commission
Alpha Tower
Suffolk Street
Queensway
Birmingham B1 1TT
Tel: 0121 633 1800
Fax: 0121 633 1804/1823
You can ask the Commission to review your case. They have the power to investigate and to refer Crown Court cases back to the Court of Appeal, or Magistrates' Court cases back to the Crown Court on appeal. They should not normally do so unless they are satisfied that there is 'a real possibility' that the verdict or sentence passed would not be upheld.
However, the Commission is restricted in that referrals can only be based on arguments or evidence not raised in the original hearing or appeal unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'. As a result, you cannot simply regard the Commission as a court of final appeal but rather as a means of bringing possible miscarriages of justice back into the court system where further information comes to light or there is continuing public concern.
Criminal Cases Review Commission
Alpha Tower
Suffolk Street
Queensway
Birmingham B1 1TT
Tel: 0121 633 1800
Fax: 0121 633 1804/1823
