She fills a post that has been vacant for nearly six months
Dame Vera Baird has been announced as the interim chair of the UK Criminal Cases Review Commission, taking on a role that has been vacant for nearly half a year.
As reported by the Law Society Gazette, Baird takes the place of Helen Pitcher, who resigned as chair in January. She steps into the role this month and will remain in it until December 2026 pending a permanent appointment.
Currently a barrister, Baird was once victims' commissioner for England and Wales. The CCRC highlighted her significant experience with the criminal justice system.
In addition to heading up the board, she will establish the CCRC's core purpose, sustain public trust and confidence, and support CCRC leaders. Moreover, she is set to conduct an urgent review of CCRC operations after Commons justice committee report "Leadership of the Criminal Cases Review Commission" indicated that the CCRC had displayed "remarkable inability to learn from its mistakes," according to a statement published by the Gazette.
Baird's review will evaluate the organization's governance and leadership, its ability to look into possible miscarriages of justice, its internal culture, and whether it provides value for money.
"Miscarriages of justice have a devastating and life-long impact. The organisation tasked with uncovering them must earn back the public’s trust in the justice system, vital to our Plan for Change. Dame Vera will bring strong leadership to the CCRC, I want her review to restore its role uncovering and rectifying historical injustices," said lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood in a statement published by the Gazette.
Baird emphasized the importance of the public's trust in the CCRC.
"When the justice system makes mistakes, as all human institutions do, from time to time, the role of the CCRC is crucial in uncovering them, providing the only lifeline available for the wrongfully convicted. It is vital the public can have confidence in an organisation whose constitutional importance is so central to a fair and just system," she said in a statement published by the Gazette. "I look forward to working alongside the many hardworking and dedicated members of staff to restore that confidence, ensuring recommendations stemming from multiple reviews over the last decade are being effectively implemented, as well as identifying further areas for improvement."
