SCOTTISH CRIMINAL CASES REVIEW COMMISSION

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD ON FRIDAY 24 APRIL 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
  • Dr Alex Quinn – office
  • Miss Alyson Forbes – office
  • Ms Jacqueline Fordyce – video conference
  • Mrs Gillian Mawdsley – office
  • Mrs Suzie Mertes – office
  • Mr Finlay Young – video conference

Also Present:

  • Miss Frances McMenamin KC – office
  • Mr Michael Walker, Chief Executive – office
  • Mr Chris Reddick, Director of Corporate Services (minutes) – office
  • Mr Stephen McGowan, Deputy Crown Agent – COPFS – 1.2 only

 

Section 1: Governance Matters (edited)

1.1 Apologies

Ms Reilly had submitted her apologies.

1.2 Board meeting with Deputy Crown Agent – Mr Stephen McGowan

Dr Davies welcomed Mr McGowan to the Commission and thanked him for his offer to speak directly to the Board in respect of the retention of forensic samples in Scotland. After introduction, Mr McGowan provided a full update on the current position in respect of the retention of forensic samples along with details of the Crown’s position, based on counsel’s advice, that legislative change would be required to change the current arrangements. After full discussion, Mr McGowan agreed to supply Mr Walker with a note of agreed actions to include any updates in respect of the potential waiver and forfeiture issues and the potential for seeking a further opinion from counsel.

 Dr Davies thanked Mr McGowan for his attendance at which point he left the meeting.

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

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

Ms Fordyce declared an interest in respect of one stage 1 case.

There were no other conflicts of interest or gifts, and hospitality declared.

1.4 Minutes of Board meeting held on 27 March 2026

The Board approved the minutes of the Board meeting held on 27 March 2026, subject to minor amendment. The Board also approved the version of the minutes for the Publication Scheme, subject to minor amendment.

1.5 Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

1.6 Board Actions List

Dr Davies thanked Mr Reddick for the updated Board Actions list and noted good progress on agreed actions.

1.7 Chair’s Report

Dr Davies referred to Lady Rose’s proposed visit to the Commission on 20 May 2026 and agreed to discuss arrangements and attendees for this at the end of the meeting. She confirmed that she had one correspondence item to be dealt with at 1.9 and reported that she was due to have her annual performance discussion with Ms Cat Dalrymple, Director for Justice at Scottish Government, in July/August 2026.

1.8 Chief Executive’s Report

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

  • He confirmed that work had commenced on the 2025-26 Annual Report and Accounts and asked Mr Reddick to provide an update. Mr Reddick confirmed that all year-end financials had now been passed across to Accountancy Services in advance of the annual audit commencing on 18 May 2026. He confirmed that the Annual Accounts should be ready for signing at the Audit Committee on 25 June 2026. In respect of the Annual Report, he confirmed that work had also commenced on pulling together all the statistics and data and a further update would be provided at the next Board meeting.
  • He provided a staffing update in respect of both absences and legal officer resources, which would be discussed further with the sponsor team.
  • He reported that correspondence had been received from Alistair Carmichael MSP regarding the Commission’s approach to s274/275 cases, to which he had responded.
  • With regard to the transfer of exceptional case data to the National Records of Scotland, he confirmed that three contractors had been approached to provide quotations for undertaking this work.

1.9 Court Decisions

5 February 2026 – YZ v HMA

Mr Walker provided the Board with a summary of the court’s decision in this case.

1.10 Correspondence:

(Conflict: Mr Walker left the meeting for this discussion having previously declared a conflict of interest and therefore took no part in its consideration.)

One piece of correspondence had been received and had been circulated to the Board for their attention. Following review, Dr Davies confirmed that she would respond directly.

 

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

No training and development had been undertaken since the last meeting of the Board.

2.3 Case Statistics & Case Review Target Performance – M Walker

Mr Walker presented his paper on case statistics and annual case review performance to the Board. He referred to the increasing numbers of “no appeal” cases, currently standing at 40% of cases received. He provided an update on the impact of the new online application process, noting that action had been agreed to publicise this more with the profession to encourage more supported applications.

The level of representation was also discussed by the Board and whether applications had in the past been taken up by any University Law Clinics. Understanding applicants’ experiences with the review process was also discussed and it was agreed that opportunities and approached to obtaining feedback could be taken forward.

Mr Walker also provided an update on the 2025-26 case-related targets, having narrowly missed the average review times for both sentence-only and conviction cases. The impact of staff absences and third-party delays was noted, particularly where the review process is already very efficient and the organisation relatively small. Dr Davies also noted that it was extremely positive what had been achieved without the need for any backlogs.

2.4 Quarterly Case Statistics Report – 31 March 2026

With regard to the quarterly case statistics, Mr Walker highlighted 2025-26 had been the Commission’s busiest year on record with the receipt of 240 applications, the conclusion of 232 cases, 34 of which after full review. He confirmed that 5 cases had been referred and decisions in 2 cases received. The Board noted the content of the report.

2.5 Quarterly Finance Report – 31 March 2026

Mr Reddick provided the Board with an overview of the quarterly finance report as at 31 March 2026, confirming that total expenditure had come in very close to cash budget but that these figures were subject to update on non-cash costs and year-end adjustments including accruals. He specifically highlighted budgetary pressures in respect of future system support costs where ongoing security and development work was required and licencing costs were increasing. He also confirmed that additional resource planning information had been passed onto Scottish Government as part of the request for additional resource funding. The Board noted the content of the report.

2.6 Quarterly Summary Case Review Targets – 31 March 2026

Mr Reddick confirmed that the case review targets had featured within Mr Walker’s earlier performance report, noting that three out of five targets had been achieved.

2.7 Quarterly Business Plan Objectives Report – 31 March 2026

Mr Reddick provided the Board with a summary of the achievement of the 2025-26 case review targets, confirming that out of the 17 Business Plan Objectives set, 12 were fully achieved, 4 were partially achieved and 1 was outstanding. He confirmed that those that were either partially achieved or outstanding had been rolled over into 2026-27.

2.8 Board Self-Evaluation Exercise

Mr Reddick provided the Board with an update in respect of the self-evaluation exercise which had been completed in March 2026. He confirmed that the questionnaire mirrored the one used in the previous year and that it was encouraging to note the improving position against all areas. He highlighted some useful feedback and points raised within responses which he had incorporated into some of the 2026-27 Business Plan Objectives.

2.9 2026-27 Draft Business Plan

Mr Reddick advised Members that the draft 2026-27 Business Plan had been circulated for consideration and that some of the 2025-26 finance and performance information would be updated once agreed. Dr Davies agreed to work through each of the proposed business plan objectives and seek feedback and updates on each. After full consideration, the Board agreed various updates to the content and wording of objectives and Mr Reddick agreed to bring back a final plan for approval at the May Board meeting.

 

Section 3: Case Matters (edited)

3.1 Monthly Case Summary:

Mr Reddick confirmed that a total of 25 new applications had been received in March 2026.

3.2-3.4 There were no cases in these categories.

3.5 Request for extensions of time to submit further representations:

Two extensions of time were considered by the Board and granted.

3.6-3.7 There were no cases in these categories.

3.8 Discussion Cases:

(Conflict: Mrs Mawdsley had previously declared an interest in one of the cases and therefore took no part in its consideration.)

Two discussion cases were considered by the Board and appropriate courses of action agreed.

 

Section 4: Proposed Referral Cases (edited)

There were no cases in this category.

 

Section 5: Proposed Interim Cases (edited)

The Board considered one statement of reasons in this category. After full discussion it agreed not to refer the case to the High Court.

 

Section 6: Proposed Supplementary Cases (edited) 

The Board considered one statement of reasons in this category. After full discussion it agreed not to refer the case 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:

1 case Accepted for a review of conviction and sentence.
3 cases Accepted: each case was accepted for a review of conviction.
2 cases Rejected; in each case the applicant had not appealed.
3 cases Rejected: in each case the grounds of review were a repeat of the grounds of appeal.
2 cases Rejected: in each case there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review.
2 cases Rejected: in each case it was not in the interests of justice to accept the case for full review.
9 cases Rejected: in each case the applicant had not appealed and there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review.
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.
1 case Rejected: there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review and it was not in the interests of justice to accept the case for full review.
3 cases Continued: each case continued for one month for more information.
1 case Rejected: in respect of conviction the applicant had not appealed and there were no plausible or stateable grounds of review; and in respect of sentence there were no plausible grounds of review.

 

Section 8: Concluding Matters

8.1 Any Other Competent Business

There was no other competent business.

8.2 Date of Next Meeting

Board Meeting – Friday 29 May 2026 @ 10:00

 

C Reddick

18 May 2026