England: Miscarriages watchdog blasted over unchecked intern work

The review by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) made 34 recommendations, including six requiring urgent action within 12 months.

Inspectors examined 60 cases handled by the CCRC, which reviews around 1,500 potential miscarriages of justice each year. While they found the decisions reached were sound, they concluded the investigations were often unnecessarily complex.

The report said staff were committed to “doing the right thing and leaving no stone unturned”, but added that this frequently led to “unnecessary investigatory avenues that lead to drift, delays and wasted resources”.

Inspectors also criticised the CCRC’s reliance on interns to deal with legal queries, saying it was “surprising” that their work was not subject to formal quality assurance.

The review follows the case of Andrew Malkinson, whose wrongful rape conviction was overturned after he spent 17 years in prison. The CCRC rejected two previous applications before referring his case to the Court of Appeal, prompting the resignation of its chief executive and a review of thousands of previously rejected cases.

HMCPSI chief inspector Anthony Rogers said the CCRC faced “cultural issues” and needed to improve its handling of cases, but stressed it remained fit for purpose.

Interim chair Dame Vera Baird said the review had scrutinised every aspect of the organisation’s work and that “all casework will be better planned and independently scrutinised from now on”.

The CCRC has published a reform plan including stronger quality assurance measures, clearer expectations and changes aimed at delivering decisions more efficiently.