BILETA 2008

  1. Jump to content
  2. Jump to this page's menu
  3. Jump to main menu
  4. Go to accessibility options
  5. Go to Glasgow Caledonian University Homepage
> LSS Skip navigation | Accessibility
Innocence Project

Glasgow Caledonian University Innocence Project

About the Project

The Glasgow Caledonian University Innocence Project (GCU-IP) is the first dedicated student-led Innocence Project in Scotland, a pro bono legal clinic which teaches law through exposure to 'live-clients'. Established in June 2008, it will officially launch to coincide with the National Pro Bono week in November 2008.

The Project is part of the Innocence Network UK, is a collaborative venture of undergraduate law students working under academic supervision and guidance from local criminal solicitors. It is important to note that the GCU-IP does not give legal advice as such. Rather, solicitors can provide possible avenues for further exploration and students then investigate individual cases in pursuit of grounds for possible appeal and/or an application to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC).

INUK started in September 2004 and there are several other associated projects at universities in England and Wales.

The Project is directed by Michael Bromby and associated staff within the Division of Law at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Aims

This is predominantly an educational project, which aims:

  • to educate students about the wrongful conviction of the innocent;
  • to work on individual cases of prisoners maintaining innocence who meet our casework criteria;
  • to conduct research on the causes of the wrongful conviction of the innocent to effect legal reform.

Educational Benefits of the Project

The likely practical benefits of innocence projects can be summarised as follows:

  • 'Lawyering' skills: dealing with clients, acting like a professional and dealing with other professionals, communication skills (written and oral).
  • Critical thinking and analysis: problem solving, creative/lateral thinking, collaboration.
  • Case management: record keeping/time management, organisation and prioritising, dealing with interruptions and unscheduled work.
  • Fact-finding: use of a variety of resources, use of different disciplines outside of law, application of law to the facts.

The GCU-IP is currently an extra-curricula initiative. Student members undertake the Innocence Project UK Core Training Programme for Innocence Projects.

In line with the clinical educational aims of the Project, all members keep 'Critical Reflective Diaries' in which they write critical reflections of their thoughts on the Innocence Network UK Core Training Progamme workshops and, when they are working on cases, report their experiences and thoughts about the investigation process and the issues that arise along the way.

Casework

In terms of case-work, the GCU-IP offers free assistance to prisoners who fall into the following categories:

  • prisoners with a declaration of factual innocence, as opposed to claims of a procedural miscarriage of justice;
  • prisoners with a significant amount of time remaining on their sentence, to allow time for student investigation;
  • prisoners who have no legal representation, or whose solicitors have granted permission for us to assist.

These criteria were developed in collaboration with the first cohort of student members at Bristol, who - when confronted by dozens of letters claiming wrongful conviction - reasoned that prisoners maintaining factual innocence were in most need of assistance.

Casework is only undertaken when the training has been satisfactorily completed. 'Case Workers' work in teams of six or eight under the direction of a 'Case Manager'. They meet with our supporting solicitors on a regular basis who guide them with their cases. If grounds of appeal are found the case is taken on by the solicitors and prepared for appeal. If a first appeal has already failed, an application is made to the SCCRC.

Availability & Contact Details

The GCU-IP operates only during teaching-time (Sept-Dec; Feb-May). Therefore, should you contact us out of this time you will not receive a confirmation of your correspondence until the new semester begins.

Please do NOT write to the Glasgow Caledonian University Innocence Project directly:

  • If you feel you have been wrongly convicted
  • If you are the friends and family of someone who you feel has been wrongly convicted

All of the cases we look at are given to us by the central INUKcasebank and we urge you to contact them. However we are happy to pass on your details to the INUK on your behalf, if you so wish, particularly if you have a connection to the Glasgow area (however, this is not a guarantee that this particular Innocence Project will be able to take on your case).

This project was set-up with Strategic Investment Development (SID) funds from the School of Law and Social Sciences in 2008.

Updated: 6 November, 2008 | Site editor | Legal

Project Sponsors