As you may be aware, the Law Clinic has recently joined forces with the University’s Journalism department in setting up Scotland’s first Innocence Project. The project is, in effect, the last resort for convicted criminals who have exhausted the ordinary appeal process, but who have maintained their innocence throughout. Students involved carry out an independent review and investigation of the cases in a bid to identify miscarriages of justice. If evidence is found to that effect, students will submit an application to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission in the hope of having the case referred back to the High Court of Appeal.

This is an exciting time for the project as we prepare to take on our second case – with a further case in waiting. As part of this expansion, we believe that student members would benefit greatly from the supervision and/or guidance of practitioners in carrying out their investigations. It is commonplace in the more established Innocence Projects in England for criminal solicitors/barristers to act in an advisory capacity for them and we would very much like to implement something similar with our own project. As such, if you currently practice in (or have experience of) criminal law and would be interested in becoming involved with the project, please contact our Innocence Project Co-ordinator, Steven McKinley (steven.mckinley.2013@uni.strath.ac.uk).

We look forward to hearing from you.