Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 1 March 2011.

Justice: Compensation

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 27 January (WA 186) how many people whose convictions werequashed on their first appeal have been compensated since the inception of the Miscarriages of Justice Support Services or the Miscarriages of Justice project.

Answer: Since the abolition of the discretionary miscarriages of justice compensation scheme in April 2006 the only government compensation scheme is the statutory scheme under Section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Compensation is paid under that scheme where a conviction is quashed following an out of time appeal or following a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to the relevant appeal court on the basis that a new or newly discovered fact shows beyond reasonable doubt that there has been a miscarriage of justice. Section 133 fully meets our international obligations. The Government do not operate a compensation scheme for those who have convictions quashed at in-time appeals or those who are acquitted at trial.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7065; 725 c317-8WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Criminal Justice: Compensation
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Compensation Appeals Convictions Miscarriages of justice
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk