SCOTTISH CRIMINAL CASES REVIEW COMMISSION

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD ON FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 2026

10:00 AM, HYBRID MEETING (OFFICE & VIDEO CONFERENCE)

FOR DISCLOSURE VIA THE PUBLICATION SCHEME

In line with the Commission’s Disclosure policy, various paragraphs may have been edited or deleted from these minutes as the information contained therein relates to specific case information and/or personnel-related matters. Where the summary of discussion has been edited or the names have been deleted, this is indicated at the start of the relevant paragraph or section.

Present:

  • Dr Vanessa Davies (Chair) – office
  • Ms Laura Reilly – office
  • Dr Alex Quinn – office
  • Miss Alyson Forbes – office
  • Ms Jacqueline Fordyce – video conference
  • Mrs Gillian Mawdsley – office
  • Mrs Suzie Mertes – office
  • Mr Finlay Young – office

Also Present:

  • Miss Frances McMenamin KC – office
  • Mr Michael Walker, Chief Executive – office
  • Mr Chris Reddick, Director of Corporate Services (minutes) – office

 

Section 1: Governance Matters (edited)

1.1 Apologies

There were no apologies.

1.2 Conflicts of Interest/Declarations of Interest/Gifts & Hospitality

Members were asked to declare any known conflicts of interests or gifts and hospitality.

Ms Fordyce noted a conflict of interest in respect of one stage 1 case.

1.3 Minutes of Board meeting held on 28 November 2025

The Board approved the minutes of the Board meeting held on 28 November 2025, subject to minor amendment. The Board also approved the version of the minutes for the Publication Scheme, subject to minor amendment.

1.4 Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

1.5 Board Actions List

The Board noted the updated actions list.

1.6 Chair’s Report

Dr Davies reported that she had spent time on some follow up correspondence in respect of a complaint. She also asked Members to provide her with any CPD suggestions over the coming weeks.

1.7 Chief Executive’s Report

Mr Walker provided the Board with an update on the following matters:

  • He reported that the new Commission website had gone live earlier in the month, including the new facility for submitting online applications. He noted that the take up rate for submitting applications online would be monitored closely over the coming weeks and any required further enhancements could be considered.
  • He reported that there had been some access issues with the SPS Webex system and that these had been raised directly with SPS for resolution.
  • He asked Mr Reddick to provide an update on the latest cyber security work being taken forward. Mr Reddick confirmed that work had commenced on the new cyber essentials accreditation as well as the roll out of cyber training for staff.
  • He provided an update on S275 cases, confirming that so far only a small number had been received. He also confirmed that he had written to the Crown Agent to ascertain their approach to these cases and that he would provide an update in due course.
  • He provided an update on the forensic archive issue previously discussed and confirmed that this was on the quarterly agenda for next week. He also noted that a further update from the Crown Agent was outstanding on this issue. Dr Davies confirmed that she was happy to get involved in discussion if this would help progress the matter.
  • He provided the Board with an overview of a data breach which had occurred during January 2026, noting that this had been fully resolved and did not require reporting to the Information Commissioner.

1.8 Court Decisions

Mr Walker reported that one recent referral case had called for a full hearing on 29 January 2026 and had gone to avizandum.

1.9 Correspondence:

The Board considered correspondence received from the Justice for Innocent Men Scotland (JIMS) group. Mr Walker provided an outline of his response which referenced the Commission’s current approach to S275 cases and guidance on the Commission’s website.

 

Section 2: Management Issues

2.1 Notification by Members of non-case related work

There was no non-case related work notified by Members.

2.2 Training & Development

The following training and development had been undertaken since the last meeting of the Board:

  • All staff had attended CLT training on Working with Emotional Clients on 27 January 2026. The training was delivered at the Commission’s office and some useful feedback had been received from the trainer. Mr Walker confirmed that this would be taken forward and an update provided to the Board in March 2026.

2.3 Quarterly Case Statistics Report – 31 December 2025

Mr Walker provided the Board with a summary of the key case statistics to 31 December 2025, noting that a total of 160 applications had been received, 155 concluded, 20 of which after full review and 4 cases being referred. Mr Reddick confirmed that a further 25 applications had been received in January 2026 and 8 of these had been received electronically via the new website.

2.4 Quarterly Finance Report – 31 December 2025

Mr Reddick provided the Board with a summary of the quarterly finance report to 31 December 2025, confirming that spend against overall budget at the end of the third quarter represented 74% of budget. He highlighted some minor variances within overall operating budgets and flagged anticipated expenditure for quarter 4, particularly in respect of system support costs.

2.5 Quarterly Summary Case Review Targets – 31 December 2025

Mr Reddick provided an overview of the summary case review targets to 31 December 2025. He confirmed that all average stage 1 targets had been met to date, although noted that there had been some exceptional cases in respect of conviction and sentence cases which may impact on the year-end position. He confirmed that performance information in respect of the case review targets would be disclosed in the annual report, along with any factors impacting performance.

2.6 Quarterly Business Plan Objectives Report – 31 December 2025

Mr Reddick provided the Board with an update on Business Plan Objectives for the year including details of objectives concluded in the last quarter. As previously noted, he confirmed that the new website had now gone live and had already received favourable feedback. He also provided an update on objectives to be taken forward during quarter 4.

Mr Young referred to the objective relating to performance evaluation and suggested that some work on this was still ongoing. Mr Reddick agreed and confirmed that it had been difficult to identify other meaningful ways to evaluate performance, particularly in respect of stakeholder engagement. It was agreed that further investigation may be required and possible assistance from external sources. The timebound and ongoing actions were also discussed and it was agreed that ways of providing more specific updates would be considered further for the future.

2.7 Resource Planning (C Reddick)

Mr Reddick provided the Board with an overview of his updated resource planning report, noting that in the first instance, the number of S275 cases received to date had been low and that this was likely a timing issue. He did however set out some key components of resource proposals that would be discussed at the next quarterly meeting to ensure that the Commission was well placed to cope with an influx of cases. He also confirmed that the report would be updated and refined as volumes of cases changed and a clearer picture developed. After full discussion the Board agreed that they were content with the approach adopted.

2.8 Proposed Submissions Guidance Update (D Fenn)

Mr Fenn provided the Board with an overview of his proposed updates to the Submissions Guidance document to reference the use of AI and the Commission’s approach to this. He confirmed that a number of suggested updates had been received from Members and that these would be incorporated into the final version. Dr Quinn suggested the inclusion of a closing statement and Mr Young suggested that this was an area that could be set out more clearly within the new website, possibly by way of a short video. After full discussion the Board agreed the updated guide and suggested that the issue return for further discussion at a future policy meeting.

 

Section 3: Case Matters (edited)

3.1 Monthly Case Summary:

Mr Reddick confirmed that a total of 34 new applications had been received in December 2025 and a further 25 so far in January 2026. He noted that a total of 8 new applications had been received via the new website since its launch in January 2026.

3.2-3.7 There were no cases in these categories.

3.8 Discussion Cases:

In respect of one discussion case, Mr Walker provided the Board with a summary of the main points of the case. After full discussion the Board agreed to issue the decision letter.

 

Section 4: Proposed Referral Cases (edited)

The Board considered one statement of reasons in this category. After full discussion it was agreed to refer the case to the High Court.

 

Section 5: Proposed Interim Cases (edited)

The Board considered five statements of reasons in this category. After full discussion it agreed not to refer the cases to the High Court.

 

Section 6: Proposed Supplementary Cases (edited) 

The Board considered five statements of reasons in this category. After full discussion it agreed not to refer the cases to the High Court.

 

Section 7: Stage 1 Pre-acceptance Cases (edited)

A total of 28 new applications were considered, and the following decisions were made:

2 cases Both cases were accepted for a review of conviction.
1 case Accepted for a review of sentence.
1 case Accepted for a review of conviction and sentence.
8 cases Rejected: in each case there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review.
1 case Rejected: the case was historical, and review was not possible
10 cases

 

 Rejected: in each case the applicant had not appealed and there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review.
1 case Rejected: the applicant had not appealed.
1 case

 

 Rejected: the grounds of review were a repeat of the grounds of appeal and there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review.
2 cases Rejected: in both cases the grounds of review were a repeat of the grounds of appeal.
1 case Continued: one case was continued for one month for more information.

Ms Fordyce left the meeting in respect of one case, having previously declared a conflict of interest, and therefore took no part in their consideration.

 

Section 8: Concluding Matters

8.1 Any Other Competent Business

  • Note for the Board: Code of Conduct/Conflict of Interest

The Board considered an issue arising regarding a potential conflict of interest concerning a solicitor in a case which had just been concluded. After full discussion the Board agreed that the matter did not require to be reported to the Law Society of Scotland for further action.

  • Remuneration Committee

The Board sat as the Remuneration Committee to consider the application of the 2025-26 Pay Policy for Senior Appointments.

8.2 Date of Next Meeting

Board Meeting –

  • Board Meeting – Friday 27 February 2026 @ 10:00

 

C Reddick

13 February 2026