CCRC Watch is an Empowering the Innocent (ETI) project that was set up by Dr Michael Naughton, a leading academic expert on miscarriages of justice and the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of innocent victims. He has considered the limitations of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in a number of academic books, peer-reviewed academic articles and other publications. Dr Naughton also has a wealth of experience in terms of practical engagements with the CCRC in his roles as Founder and Director of Innocence Network UK (INUK) and of the University of Bristol Innocence Project. 

Building on this body of work and direct experiences with the CCRC, CCRC Watch was launched in February 2022 to further highlight the limitations of the CCRC in dealing with applications from alleged innocent victims of wrongful convictions due to the restrictive nature of the 'real possibility' test and the need for so called 'fresh' evidence.

​

CCRC Watch features articles which centre on applications that are rejected by the CCRC, not because applicants are not innocent but, rather, because they are not deemed to have the so called 'fresh' evidence required to fulfil the 'real possibility' test and have their case referred back to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

​

CCRC Watch also features research articles on the wider limitations of the CCRC in dealing with applications from alleged innocent victims of wrongful convictions. 

​

CCRC Watch contributes to Empowering the Innocent's (ETI) aim to give voice to alleged innocent victims of wrongful convictions. In so doing, it highlights the limitations and/or outright failings of the existing structures, cultures and/or procedures of the criminal justice system, criminal appeals system and the CCRC. This contributes to fostering public support as a precursor to criminal justice reforms to prevent wrongful convictions or allow for them to be overturned when they do occur.