Defend our juries

Defend our juries APPEAL strongly opposes government proposals to reduce jury trials Why are juries under threat? Sir Brian Leveson’s review of our court system, announced in December 2024 by the Ministry of Justice (‘MOJ’), has reignited debate about the role of juries in ensuring justice. The review, prompted by an alarming backlog of over…

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CCRC chief spent public funds on luxury hotels for business courses in France

CCRC chief spent public funds on luxury hotels for business courses in France   Exclusive: Justice watchdog’s Karen Kneller enrolled on courses advertised for thousands of pounds at Insead, where CCRC’s then chair held roles. Read the full article from the Guardian here. Read More >>> Defend our juries Defend our juries APPEAL strongly opposes…

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A system in crisis – the voices of the silent

A system in crisis – the voices of the silent   There is widespread acknowledgement that the criminal justice system, and in particular the trial and appellate processes, are failing women. APPEAL’s Emma Torr reports on a system in crisis and hope on the horizon  Read the full article in Counsel Magazine here. Read More…

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Failures at the CCRC

Failures at the CCRC APPEAL’s Matt Foot writes for the London Review of Books   Thirty​ years ago, the passing of the Criminal Appeal Act led to the foundation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), a publicly funded body intended to investigate miscarriages of justice and with the power to refer cases back to the Court…

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Case review body needs overhaul, lawyers say

Case review body needs overhaul, lawyers say   The miscarriages of justice watchdog requires “root and branch” reform, lawyers tell The Times as its head finally quit six months after the justice secretary described her as “unfit to fulfil her duties”. Read the full article from the Times here. Read More >>> Defend our juries…

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Andy Malkinson and James Burley on BBC Radio 4 following Helen Pitcher resignation

Andy Malkinson and James Burley on BBC Radio 4 following Helen Pitcher resignation   Helen Pitcher, Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), resigned on 14 January 2025 after the conclusion of a special panel. This follows grave criticisms of the CCRC’s failings in Andy Malkinson’s case. Listen to Andy Malkinson and James Burley…

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The Sunday Mirror joins APPEAL’s calls for compensation for the wrongfully convicted

The Sunday Mirror joins APPEAL’s calls for compensation for the wrongfully convicted The Sunday Mirror has published an article about Sam Hallam’s continued fight for compensation alongside an editorial highlighting why compensation is so important following a wrongful conviction. The article came about after polling, commissioned by APPEAL and run by insight agency Opinium in…

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Reflections on Martyn Blake’s trial

Reflections on Martyn Blake’s trial APPEAL’s Nisha Waller explores the trial of the police officer that killed Chris Kaba The recent acquittal of Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake has sparked critical conversations about police accountability and prosecution decisions in the criminal legal system. Blake shot and killed Chris Kaba, an unarmed Black man, during…

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Make Double the Impact for Justice This Christmas

Make Double the Impact for Justice this Christmas Imagine spending Christmas separated from your loved ones, wrongfully convicted of a crime you didn’t commit. For too many individuals, this is a harsh reality. At APPEAL, we are dedicated to correcting these injustices, fighting for the freedom of the innocent, and supporting families during their darkest…

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‘Not the only one: delivering justice for the wrongly convicted’: the 2024 CALA conference

Not the only one: delivering justice for the wrongly convicted The Criminal Appeals Lawyers Association (CALA) annual conference, 2024 Emily Dugan, journalist Journalism panel Penney Lewis, Law Commission Edward henry KC and APPEAL’s James Burley and Claire Bostock   The Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association’s annual conference: Not the only one: delivering justice for the wrongly…

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