APPEAL strives to confront the racism within the criminal justice system head on. 

We aim to raise awareness and challenge discriminatory practices, advocating for change that promotes equality, fairness and redress for harms caused. We ensure that the voices of those affected by racial injustice are heard and that meaningful change is achieved.

We achieved justice for rail workers framed by a racist, corrupt British Transport Police officer. We have also identified the hidden racist and classist intent behind the introduction of majority jury verdicts, which was linked to a desire to dilute the influence of “coloured” migrants and the new “labouring class”. 

Our research ‘Doubt Dismissed‘ has highlighted  dozens of high-profile wrongful convictions based on majority jury verdicts, including Winston Trew, who was “fitted up” by a racist police officer in 1972.

Joint Enterprise on Trial:

The ‘Joint Enterprise on Trial’ report launched by APPEAL’s Dr Nisha Waller and Tehreem Sultan is a first-of-its-kind report offering a rare, inside look at how joint enterprise is being used in criminal trials at the Old Bailey. Based on a six-month court watch, the study reveals how young, mostly Black men and teenagers are being placed at risk of wrongful conviction due to the overuse and misuse of joint enterprise.

Take Action:

• Read the report of Joint Enterprise on Trial here
• Write a letter to your MP, calling for Parliamentary scrutiny on joint enterprise prosecutions (template letter)
• Sign up to APPEAL’s newsletter to keep informed on follow up action following the Joint Enterprise on Trial report

In the Media:

Channel 4 News – Joint enterprise law ‘overused and misused’ against black men

The Justice Gap – Joint enterprise ‘shattering lives through overreaching prosecutions’

The Guardian – Excessive use of charging powers observed in joint enterprise trials say researchers