What is the Innocence Project London?

The Innocence Project London (IPL) was founded in 2010 and became a registered charity in 2020. It partners law and criminology students with a practicing lawyer to investigate cases of individuals who claim innocence but have exhausted the appeals process. In 2016, IPL joined the global Innocence Network, a USA-based alliance of 71 organizations offering pro-bono support to those maintaining innocence after conviction.

 

IPL focuses on submitting applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), an independent UK body reviewing potential miscarriages of justice. The CCRC can refer cases back to the Court of Appeal if they uncover new evidence or legal arguments that could have changed a jury’s verdict.

 

Students follow the “innocence project model” of clinical legal education, developed in the USA in 1992. They review evidence, build legal theories, and search for proof of innocence. Law and criminology students can join as volunteers or, for criminology students, as part of a credit-bearing module.

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Disclaimer: The Innocence Project London does not provide legal advice, if you require legal advice please consult a qualified solicitor or barrister.