INFORMATION

FOR THE POST OF

CASE REVIEW MANAGER (CRM17a)

(PERMANENT)

THE ORGANISATION

Background

The Commission was created by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 ('the Act'). From 31 March 1997 it assumed the responsibilities for reviewing alleged and suspected miscarriages of criminal justice previously exercised by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Responsibilities

The Commission's responsibilities under the Act are:

·  to review alleged and suspected miscarriages of justice, and to refer a conviction, verdict, finding or sentence to the appropriate appellate court whenever the Commission considers that there is a real possibility that it would not be upheld;

·  to investigate and report to the Court of Appeal on any matter referred to the Commission by the Court, and

·  to consider and report to the Secretary of State on any matter referred to the Commission arising from consideration of whether or not to recommend exercise of Her Majesty's prerogative of mercy in relation to a conviction.

The Commission's powers and responsibilities cover cases tried on indictment at Crown Courts or summarily at magistrates' courts. It has powers to obtain or preserve documents and other materials held by public and private bodies. It can require the appointment of an Investigating Officer by another public body to carry out enquiries, or take any other steps that it considers appropriate to assist it in the exercise of its responsibilities.

Our overall aims are to:

·  Investigate cases as efficiently and effectively as possible with thoroughness and care.

·  Work constructively with our stakeholders and to the highest standards of quality.

·  Treat applicants, and anyone affected by our work, with courtesy, respect and consideration.

·  Promote public understanding of the Commission’s role.

The Commission’s vision and purpose

·  To bring justice to the wrongly convicted by referring cases to the appellate courts. To identify, investigate and correct miscarriages of justice in a timely manner.

·  To act independently in the interests of justice and to use our unique knowledge and experience to improve the criminal justice system and inspire confidence in the integrity of the criminal justice process.

About the organisation

Our values

Independence, Integrity, Impartiality, Professionalism, Accountability, Transparency, Timeliness.

The Commission is located in Birmingham, and currently comprises the Chairman, 13 Commissioners, and approximately 90 staff. The Commission’s powers extend to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is financed by the Ministry of Justice and has a budget of just over £5 million.

The Commission deals with complex matters across a broad range of cases and has dealt with some of the most serious miscarriages of justice of the last fifty years. At the end of October 2016, the Commission had received 21,514 applications for review and had completed 20,470 of them (including 626 referrals). It had 681 cases under review.

The Commission has established a reputation for independence and thoroughness. This is due, in part, to its commitment to service delivery underpinned by professional competence, transparency of processes and decision-making, objectivity, integrity, openness and independence of action.

The managerial strategy reflects this commitment. The Commission is an organisation in which individuals have responsibility for managing their own case portfolios with the guidance and support of Group Leaders. The calibre of staff is high and the skills base varied, so that there is generally much interaction between Commissioners and staff at all levels. Work routinely makes use of the Commission’s IT systems which provide access to reference materials and case documentation.

The Commission seeks to discharge its responsibilities with regard to the various individuals, groups and organisations that constitute its stakeholders, balancing their interests as equitably as possible. Substantial stakeholders include potential applicants, applicants and their representatives, appellate courts (as recipients of referrals), the Court of Appeal (as a referring body), the Secretary of State for Justice (in relation to her Majesty’s prerogative of mercy), the criminal justice system and its agencies, and the Government (represented by the Ministry of Justice and ministers). The Commission is also sensitive to the personal interests that victims of crime have in its case reviews. So far as its responsibilities and resources allow, it is responsive to those interests.

Case Review

Eligible cases are reviewed (by Case Review Managers ‘CRMs’) and a decision is reached (by Commissioners) on whether a case should be referred to the appropriate court of appeal.

CRMs are arranged into Groups, each with its own Group Leader. Each CRM holds a portfolio of cases (varying in complexity and conviction type) and a review can take anything from a matter of hours to over a year depending on complexity and availability of materials.

The Commission reviews cases by:

·  Using its own resources and expertise (for example Case Review Managers (CRMs), Group Leaders, Commissioners, Head of Legal, Investigations Team, Interns and Casework Administrators)

·  Using its powers under section 17 of the Act to obtain relevant material held by public bodies

·  Undertaking necessary review work in cases

·  Commissioning outside experts to prepare reports

·  Requiring the appointment of an Investigating Officer (from a police force) under section 19 of the Act.

All applications received are initially assessed for eligibility. Once the appropriate approach has been decided on, cases will then be allocated to a CRM.

Further information on the Commission may be found on its website, www.ccrc.gov.uk

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: / Case Review Manager
Reports to: / Group Leader
Purpose of the role
Case Review is key to the Commission effectively investigating alleged miscarriages of justice, satisfying its responsibilities to its stakeholders and promoting public confidence in its role. The role of the Case Review Manager is to:
·  Lead and be responsible for the thorough and timely investigation and review of a portfolio of cases across case categories
·  Based on the case reviewer’s detailed knowledge of their cases, make recommendations to Commissioners as to whether or not cases should be referred to the appropriate appeal court
·  Undertake investigations specified in directions from the Court of Appeal
·  Contribute to the development of Commission policy and procedures with regard to casework
Key Responsibilities
·  Responsibility to the Commission to carry out the review thoroughly, objectively and expeditiously with regard to the applicant and the issues in the case and in line with the Commission’s policies and procedures.
Key Tasks
·  Investigate and review cases, in line with statute, common law and Commission policies and procedures
·  Assimilate and evaluate potentially extensive and complex material and information relevant to the case, re-evaluating as necessary during the course of the review
·  Identify, and pursue effectively, relevant lines of enquiry whilst identifying and eliminating the irrelevant
·  Undertake legal and other research, as the case requires
·  Work with Commissioners, Group Leaders, Legal and Investigations Advisers and other colleagues for the benefit of case review
·  Communicate effectively with applicants, their representatives, appropriate public and private bodies and individuals associated with the case, taking into account the potentially conflicting needs of those parties and the Commission
·  Ensure compliance with the Commission’s obligations on disclosure, security and confidentiality of information
·  Engage external third parties to undertake enquiries and/or take statements on the Commission’s behalf
·  Liaise with investigating officers on the Commission’s behalf during s19 investigations
·  Identify, negotiate with and commission reports from, appropriately qualified expert witnesses, in accordance with Commission policies and procedures
·  Interview applicants, witnesses and other relevant parties
·  Ensure compliance with the Commission’s obligations under the Code of Practice for Victims
·  Make informed recommendations to Commissioners on a range of decisions relating to the case review process in line with Commission policies and procedures and the requirements of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995
·  Prepare draft Statements of Reasons and supporting documentation to enable Commissioners to reach a decision to refer or not to refer to the appellate court
·  Present the case to committees of Commissioners where a referral seems possible or in other appropriate circumstances
·  Co-ordinate the case throughout the decision making
·  Keep up to date with developing law, practice and policy
·  As may from time to time be appropriate:
· serve on in-house working groups
· draft Formal Memorandums, Casework Guidance Notes and other Commission literature
· serve on the Commission’s legal advice line rota
· prepare and deliver training and case related presentations to colleagues.
Skills and Knowledge
·  Experience of working within the criminal justice system and/or a sound knowledge of the criminal justice system
·  Comprehensive experience of complex casework including excellent communications skills to communicate views, findings and recommendations clearly and persuasively, both in writing and orally
·  Legal knowledge or experience
·  Strong analytical skills and experience of researching and analysing complex legal, factual and evidential issues and data, quickly identifying the critical issues and identifying where there is insufficient information and taking appropriate action.
·  Strong oral and written communication skills, reflecting the need to deal with applicants, members of the public and senior figures in the criminal justice system
·  Competency in the use of up-to-date IT equipment and packages
Personal Qualities
·  The ability to achieve accurate and timely results, balancing the needs of timeliness and thoroughness and remaining focused on the work
·  The ability to plan, schedule and prioritise conflicting demands including the ability to manage a demanding portfolio of case work
·  The ability to follow guidelines with accuracy and consistency
·  Drive and determination to progress a case to conclusion
·  The ability to think laterally and to be flexible and innovative
·  The desire to improve personal effectiveness, recognising own strengths and weaknesses and considering ways to improve
·  An understanding of and commitment to diversity, and how it applies to this role

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COMPETENCY AREAS FOR CASE REVIEW MANAGER

CCRC competencies have been developed in consultation with a wide variety of staff. Each competency is headed by a broad definition. Within this broad definition, a number of levels have been identified through the use of positive indicators: i.e. those skills, knowledge and behaviours that would lead to effective performance in the role at that level of competence.

When completing the application form compare the indicators included for each competency and in the examples you provide think about how you have demonstrated these behaviours.

Working with Others

Definition: This competency is about the ability to communicate effectively, to maintain sound working relationships with others within the organisation and external to the organisation, to share knowledge and experience and to support, motivate and, where appropriate lead colleagues throughout the organisation.

·  Actively participates in defining own development needs and strives for improvement.

·  Demonstrates good communication skills. Listens to others, writes and explains concepts clearly and checks that others have understood. Influencing and persuading where appropriate.

·  Demonstrates effective working relationships with others, within and outside the organisation. Shares ideas, knowledge and experience and encourages others to do the same.

·  Shows confidence to contribute opinion and raises questions where appropriate. Encourages others to do the same.

·  Is open to giving and receiving praise and constructive criticism when appropriate. Leads by example in this area. Enables and encourages others to be confident enough to give and receive feedback when appropriate.

·  Conducts oneself in a dignified manner, is respectful of others and shows tact, diplomacy and self control. Challenges inappropriate behaviour.

·  Recognising the impact of balancing assertiveness v diplomacy and challenging where appropriate

Judgement

Definition: Judgement in this area is applying our values of integrity, fairness and independence when reaching accurate, logical, well thought through and reasoned decisions, with due thoroughness and speed.

·  Works at the appropriate level of detail and balances thoroughness with speed.

·  Analyses information and draws sound conclusions from it to reach accurate, logical, well thought through and reasoned decisions.

·  Takes into account and deals appropriately with the dissenting opinions of others in reaching conclusions. When appropriate makes decisions which may be unpopular.

·  Takes decisions within the scope of own expertise and authority. Uses existing guidance where available and is pro-active in seeking guidance from appropriate sources. Draws effectively on the expertise of others to reach decisions.

·  Assesses competing priorities in deciding how to carry out work. Has an awareness of the impact of their decision on others.

·  Treats information with the appropriate level of discretion and takes steps to ensure the integrity of the information, recognising the impact of disclosure.

·  Thinks strategically, i.e. looks beyond the immediate consequences of a decision, to consider longer term impacts.

Getting the Job Done

Definition: Making things happen to achieve end results using available resources appropriately and establishing or supporting an efficient course of action.

·  Is positive and enthusiastic when facing change, and works to take things forward.

·  Demonstrates perseverance and resilience to overcome obstacles.

·  Plans, prioritises and reviews workload, anticipating problems and taking appropriate action.

·  Takes responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard, monitoring and reviewing progress of own work and that of others.

·  Shows initiative - recognises opportunities and acts upon them as appropriate.

·  Recommend actions to achieve cost-effective and efficient outcomes, implementing when appropriate.

·  Makes effective use of available resources and keeps up-to-date with essential information, seeking help and guidance when necessary and learning from experience.

·  Keeps appropriate records as required.

·  Ensures appropriate records are kept in line with organisational and legislative requirements and ensures integrity of information.


Guide to Completing Competency Based Application Questions

In your application pack you will find details of the Commission’s competencies.