Commission reviewing criminal cases sees strong demand

4:56 pm today

The Criminal Cases Review Commission said it has received 110 applications this financial year.

Photo: ikiryo/123RF

The Commission responsible for investigating alleged miscarriages of justice is struggling to keep up with demand for its services.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has told the Justice Select Committee it had seen increased demand with 110 applications this financial year, compared with 91 the previous year and 75 the year before.

The Commission said that in its first two years of existence it received 308 applications, which it described as "well in excess" of the number expected when it was established in July 2020.

It said it had reduced its historical backlog from 126 to 63 cases in April this year, but had not reached a business as usual, working model.

The Commission said its staff turnover was high during the past year, for a range of reasons.

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