The CCRC has not had a chairperson since January, when Helen Pitcher KC OBE resigned amid the fallout of the Andrew Malkinson case, in which the CCRC had missed opportunities to exonerate a man who was jailed for 17 years for a rape he did not commit.

A damning report from a Westminster committee last month also called on chief executive Karen Kneller to resign, though she has yet to do so.

Dame Vera will take up the role of interim chair from 9 June 2025 and will serve until 8 December 2026.

She has been tasked with carrying out a “thorough review of the operation of the CCRC, to increase public confidence in the organisation and the important work it undertakes investigating potential miscarriages of justice”, the Ministry of Justice said.

A spokesperson for the CCRC said: “We are delighted that Dame Vera Baird DBE KC has been appointed interim chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

“Dame Vera brings decades of experience in the criminal justice system and a strong commitment to ensuring justice for all.

“Everyone at the CCRC looks forward to working with her to continue our mission to find, investigate and send potential miscarriages of justice back to the courts.”