header-logo header-logo

IPP prisoners under review

06 August 2025
Issue: 8128 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
printer mail-detail
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is revisiting historic applications for indeterminate sentences imposed on children and young adults

It believes some of the applications may benefit from the cases of Leighton Williams and Darren Hilling last year (R v Williams [2024] EWCA Crim 686; R v Hilling [2024] EWCA Crim 1279). The Court of Appeal quashed the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences of both men after finding the sentencing judge failed to attach the necessary importance to their age and maturity.

The historic applications under review concern either IPP sentences, where offenders are considered a danger to the public, or detention for public protection (DPP) sentences, used for offenders under the age of 18. Both DPPs and IPPs were abolished in 2012, but prisoners cannot be released without Parole Board approval.

The CCRC has previously referred 12 IPP cases, with eight of these having their sentence quashed, reduced or substituted.

Dame Vera Baird KC, CCRC chair, said the judgments ‘provide an important opportunity to try and help other people’.

Issue: 8128 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dispute resolution team welcomes associate in London

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Special education needs and mental capacity expert joins as partner

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
In NLJ this week, Ian Smith, emeritus professor at UEA, explores major developments in employment law from the Supreme Court and appellate courts
Writing in NLJ this week, Kamran Rehman and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper examine Operafund Eco-Invest SICAV plc v Spain, where the Commercial Court held that ICSID and Energy Charter Treaty awards cannot be assigned
back-to-top-scroll