Partner Martin Rackstraw has written in the New Law Journal, discussing The Law Commission's consultation on criminal appeals. Martin reflects on the lessons from past reforms as well as highlights the longstanding issues in the current appellate system—such an inflexible test for quashing convictions, the procedural barriers to appeals and the compensation scandal—calling for bold reform.
One of the most frustrating aspects of all this is the very real sense that we have been here before. As far back as 1991, following public concern over the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six and others, the then government set up a Royal Commission to carry out a thorough review of the criminal justice system [...] Three decades later though, the system, including the CCRC, still needs radical overhaul.
The full article is available to read online on the New Law Journal website here, by subscription only.
Martin Rackstraw is in the criminal and financial crime team, defending individuals facing serious criminal allegations, including homicide, sexual offenses, terrorism and financial crime. He has particular expertise in miscarriage of justice cases, human rights and civil liberties as well as international criminal investigations.
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