Rights in focus

Human rights emerged as a theme recently—by analogy for the Criminal Cases Review Commission, by appointment for a law centre stalwart, and in answers of the Lord Chief Justice.

Privatisation & Criminal Review

The Criminal Cases Review Commission held a rather successful annual conference at University College, London. Journalist David Rose, long steeped in miscarriage cases, proved a more than able replacement as chair for a late cancelling Mike Mansfield. His knowledge of, independence from, but basic support for, the commission provided a good framework for the day.

Presentation was assisted by the smooth communication skills of Richard Foster CBE, onetime head of the Crown Prosecution Service and now chair of the commission. Perhaps as a result, the conference was rather less fractious than previous events. This might also have been due to the notable quietness of some critics, notably Dr Michael Naughton, founder of INUK, the Innocence Network UK, and a vigorous campaigner on miscarriages of justice. INUK