His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has approved the appointment of Dame Vera Baird DBE KC as the Interim Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). The appointment will commence on 9 June 2025 and will end on 8 December 2026. The CCRC Chair role has been vacant since Helen Pitcher’s resignation on 14 January 2025.

The Lord Chancellor has requested that Dame Vera carry out a thorough review of the operation of the CCRC, to increase public confidence in the organisation and the important work it undertakes investigating potential miscarriages of justice.

In order to bring stability to the organisation at this crucial time it was important to ensure that the post holder was an exceptional individual with sound knowledge and experience of examining the criminal justice system and a strong track record of leadership.

The CCRC

The CCRC was established by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and commenced operation in 1997. The CCRC considers – on application – cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland where a miscarriage of justice is alleged or suspected. The CCRC decides if there is any new evidence or new argument which raises a real possibility that an appeal court would quash a conviction or reduce a sentence. 

The appointment of the CCRC Chair is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and this appointment complies with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments. 

Appointments of CCRC Commissioners are made by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, who receives advice from the Lord Chancellor. 

Biography

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC’s biography is as follows:

• Member of the Women’s Justice Board
• Visiting Professor in Practice at the Mannheim Centre, London School of Economics
• Honorary Fellow of St Hilda’s College Oxford
• Hon Professor of Law at Exeter and Newcastle Universities
• Hon Doctorates at Northumbria and Loughborough Universities
• Former Victims Commissioner for England and Wales (2019-22)
• DBE for Services to Women and Equalities 2017
• Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria (2012-19)
• Chair of Association of Police and Crime Commissioners 2016
• Association of PCCs’ National lead for Supporting Victims (2012-19)
• Solicitor General for England and Wales (2007-2010)
• Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice (2006-7)
• Member of Parliament for Redcar 2001-2010
• Former Practising Criminal Barrister and QC
• Author of many articles, chapters & reports, most recently The Baird Review into Greater Manchester Police.
• Patron of Respect, Operation Encompass and Board Member of Revolving Doors

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC has declared the following political activity on behalf of the Labour Party: public speaking, Chair of the Women’s Branch Horney and Friern Barnet Constituency (HFBC), member of the HFBC Fabian Society, member of the Labour Women’s Network and campaigning in elections.