His Majesty The King, on the recommendation of the Prime
Minister, has approved the reappointment of 3 Commissioners of
the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Prime
Minister, has approved the reappointments of Zahra Ahmed, Joanne
Fazakerley and Nicola Cockburn as Commissioners of the Criminal
Cases Review Commission.
The reappointments are for 5 years from 1 June 2024 to 31 May
2029.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) was established by
the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and commenced operation in 1997. The
CCRC considers - on application - cases in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland where a miscarriage of justice is alleged or
suspected. The CCRC decides if there is any new evidence or new
argument which raises a real possibility that an appeal court
would quash a conviction or reduce a sentence.
The appointment of CCRC Commissioners is regulated by the
Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment and
reappointment processes comply with the Cabinet Office Governance
Code on Public Appointments.
Appointments of CCRC Commissioners are made by His Majesty the
King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, who receives
advice from the Lord Chancellor.
Biographies
Zahra Ahmed is a practising barrister with specialist experience
in regulatory, public law, immigration and criminal law, and the
court of protection. She has been ranked in the Legal 500 (2024)
(category: professional discipline).
Joanne Fazakerley is a consultant solicitor practising in family
and childcare law. She is a member of the Law Society's Children
Panel and represents both parents and children in public and
private law matters. She has been involved in cases heard in the
High Court and regularly appears as an advocate within the Family
Court. She has recently been appointed a Deputy District Judge in
Family and Civil.
Nicola Cockburn currently sits as a Judge of the First-tier
Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber, and as a Deputy
District Judge (Civil). She qualified as a Solicitor, in 2005,
and practised primarily in the not-for-profit sector,
specialising in immigration and asylum law.
