updated 14 July 2022

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Updated 2nd August 2018

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has the power to investigate possible miscarriages of justice and refer appropriate cases to the Court of Appeal, on grounds of conviction, sentence or both. It also has similar powers to investigate and make references to the Crown Court in summary cases.

Updated: 2 August 2018

This guidance deals with defendants appeals against conviction and/or sentence in the Crown Court. For interlocutory appeals against rulings of a Crown Court judge see guidance on Prosecution Right of Appeal elsewhere.

Updated: November 2019; 16 October 2024; 7 July 2025

The circumstances in which a re-trial might be necessary are where: a jury cannot reach a verdict a jury is discharged prior to the conclusion of their deliberations magistrates cannot reach a verdict the Court of Appeal quashes a conviction there is a tainted acquittal: the legal framework is in sections 54 to 57 Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and Criminal Procedure Rule 27 applies a defendant is acquitted and it is proposed they are investigated or prosecuted for the same serious offence (“double jeopardy”): this is dealt with in the separate Retrial of Serious Offences prosecution guidance.

Updated: February 2019

This guidance assists the CPS to decide when it should conduct a review of past cases.

Updated: 26 February 2021, 25 Jan 2023

updated 19 December 2019

Part 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (the 2003 Act) contains provisions for a prosecution appeal against adverse rulings by Crown Court judges in respect of trials on indictment. Section numbers in this guidance refer to the 2003 Act unless otherwise stated.

Updated: 15/5/2019; amended 13/08/2021

Applications for judicial review and appeals by way of case stated are the proceedings in the Administrative Court that most affect the CPS. The law, practice and procedure are contained in: