This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
30/06/2005
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission today
announced the publication of its sixth annual report,
covering the period from April 1, 2004 to March 31,
2005.
The Commission was established in April 1999 to review
alleged miscarriages of justice in Scottish criminal
convictions and sentences independently of Government and
the Crown.
As at the end of March it had received a total of 618
cases and had issued final decisions in 550 cases, 47 of
which were referrals to the High Court.
The report also sets out the main functions of the
Commission, detailing review procedures and case
statistics, and gives an insight into its overall
workings.
SCCRC Chairman the Very Reverend Graham Forbes CBE said
today:
"This past year has been a good one for the Commission
and a good one for all concerned with alleged miscarriages
of justice in Scotland.
"Our main achievement has been the total elimination of
our backlog of cases awaiting review. This means that as
soon as a case is accepted for review by the Commission the
investigation of that case starts immediately.
"That investigation, I can assure you, will be thorough
and impartial. Some of our cases hit the headlines; most do
not; but all receive the same scrutiny and quality of
investigation. We find in the vast majority of the cases we
investigate that there has been no miscarriage.
"I again pay warm tribute to the Commissioners, the
Chief Executive, Legal Officers and administration staff,
who all display high levels of integrity and commitment in
our common task - the thorough, impartial and independent
investigation of alleged miscarriages of justice.
"The Commission is grateful to Scotland's police forces
and the Lord Advocate and his staff for the co-operation we
receive day in, day out. Without that co-operation the
Commissions task would be much more difficult."
SCCRC Chief Executive Gerard Sinclair added
"This year has seen a 20 per cent increase in the number
of the cases received by the Commission, which we believe
is a testament to the growing public understanding and
confidence in the work of the Commission.
"Our annual report provides more information than ever
before on the workings and review process of the
Commission, as well as a statistical analysis of the cases
we accept and review. For the first time ever we have been
able to analyse and provide information on the nature of
the crimes investigated, and the main grounds reviewed.
"Interestingly, our study of the statistics over the
last six years indicates that the main ground of review put
forward by applicants, who seek to challenge either their
conviction or sentence through the Commission, is an
allegation of failings, or defective representation, by
either the solicitors or counsel who acted on their
behalf.
"It is fair to say, however, that the Commission found
little evidence in support of this particular ground during
their investigations of cases, and in fact the main ground
in support of a referral was the discovery of new or fresh
evidence."
The report is available free of charge from the
Commission at 5th floor Portland House, 17 Renfield Street,
Glasgow
Tel: 0141 270 7030
Fax: 0141 270 7023/40
E-mail: info@sccrc.org.uk
The SCCRC operates with a Board of 7 Members, one of
whom is the Chairman, a Chief Executive, a Director of
Administration, 2 Senior Legal Officers, 10 Legal Officers
and admin support staff.