Working Cooperatively with Other Criminal Justice Institutions

This chapter examines how the Criminal Cases Review Commission works with two members of the criminal justice system in conducting investigations: the police and the Court of Appeal. It analyses a variety of cases, including those rare cases where the Commission uses its powers — under section 19 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 — to appoint an investigating officer to carry out enquiries to assist in the exercise of any of its functions. The chapter shows how the Commission deals with the investigating officer in section 19 cases and how it incorporates the results of the investigation into its decision on whether or not to refer a case back to the Court. It also explores the Commission's decision frames when it manages a section 19 investigation and when it works for the Court on section 15 investigations. Finally, it looks at section 15 investigations that involved alleged jury bias or misconduct.