Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 28 February 2011.

Criminal Justice: Compensation

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 27 January (WA 186), whether the remit and funding agreement for the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service allows it to provide assistance to people found not guilty at trial or whose convictions were quashed on first appeal.

Answer: The remit and funding agreement for the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service does not cover the provision of assistance to those found not guilty at trial or at first appeal. The only exception is where a retrial is ordered following the quashing of a conviction by the Court of Appeal. In the lifetime of the project, the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service has supported nine cases that have had a re-trial following the quashing of a conviction. The Miscarriages of Justice Support Service assists those whose convictions were quashed on first appeal only if this was following leave granted (by the Court of Appeal) to conduct an out-of-time appeal.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6960; 725 c216-7WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Criminal Justice: Compensation
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Appeals Convictions Miscarriages of justice Acquittals Miscarriages of Justice Support Service
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk