Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/01/2024 To 31/12/2024
Charity name: Innocence Project London
Charity registration number: 1190617
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Innocence Project London (IPL) provides students with the opportunity to review and investigate cases of convicted individuals who have maintained their innocence but have exhausted the criminal appeals process. The aim of our work is to submit an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) on behalf of our clients. The CCRC is an independent body which reviews possible miscarriages of justice in the United Kingdom. In order for the CCRC to refer a case back to the Court of Appeal they need to identify new evidence, or a new legal argument not identified at the time of the trial, that might have changed the whole outcome of the trial if the jury had been given a chance to consider it. The IPL supports convicted individuals to make these applications pro bono, filling a gap in the criminal legal system where there is limited funding for lawyers to undertake this work |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
• By providing administrative and expert support in collaboration with other public bodies to convicted individuals whose convictions may be unsafe • By making submissions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission on behalf of individuals who claim to be wrongfully convicted or who have suffered a miscarriage of justice • By creating awareness about wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice in England and Wales • By creating awareness of issues concerning the disclosure of evidence post-conviction through conducting research and by publishing useful results |
| • By promoting education and conducting research into areas of criminal law |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have complied with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and are fully aware of the charity’s objects and purpose. The trustees have fulfilled their duties with the public benefit of IPL in mind at all times |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The IPL is not a grant-making charity and does not have a policy on grant making. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The board of trustees are continuing to explore social investment as a vehicle for fundraising and work on a fundraising policy has started and a final document is projected to be completed by mid 2026 |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | During the reporting period, 100 lawyers from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP provided 1000 hours of pro bono legal support with the case assessment process. The IPL was also supported by 5 lawyers working pro bono alongside students providing support to the active cases |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In the reporting period the charity has: 1. Worked on five cases and submitted one application to the CCRC. Five individuals received work on their claim to innocence that otherwise would not be able to afford it. 2. Released four new Podcasts discussing the work of IPL and its volunteers 3. Published an article on Inside Times was published in order to raise awareness on the work of IPL to prisoners. 4. Published updates of IPL work via the website and a digital newsletter. 5. Hosted the IPL annual symposium in April 2024 which was attended by 90 people 6. Organised a fundraising drive in October 2024 on International Wrongful Conviction Day which raised funds and awareness of IPL work 7. Co-hosted a webinar with the Harvard Clubs of Ireland and Baltimore in November 2024 co- hosted a webinar with the Harvard Clubs of Ireland and Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Two new trustees were recruited, one with primary responsibility for social media and a Treasurer. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | In the first quarter of 2024, IPL set up a partnership with Alcotraz a prison-themed immersive theatrical experience with locations across the UK. Under the agreement, Alcotraz donates a percentage of their revenue to IPL. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the financial year 2024, IPL had a surplus of £16K reflecting primarily the income from the new partnership with Alcotraz. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | NA |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £10 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | NA |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | NA |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | NA |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | IPL has a partnership with Alcotraz that provides a percentage of their ticket revenues to the charity. Donations from individuals are another source of income. Work is ongoing to seek funding from trusts and foundations as well as corporations. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | NA |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | NA |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
The IPL is governed by a formal Constitution and registration with the Charities Commission which is subject to formal regulations in England and Wales. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The IPL is structured as a CIO and is governed by a formal Constitution document that outlines the following: • Objectives and powers • Application of income and property • Benefits and payments to charity trustees and connected persons • Scope and powers permitting trustees' or connected persons' benefits • Conflicts of interest and/or loyalty • Charity trustees • Eligibility for trusteeship • Decision making powers • Meeting protocols |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | • Trustees are appointed in a standard interview process by at least three Board members. • Apart from the first charity trustees, every appointed trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. • In selecting individuals as appointed trustees, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge, and experience for the administration of the CIO. • A trustee ceases to hold office if he or she: 1)Retires by notifying the CIO in writing (if enough charity trustees will remain in office when notice of resignation takes effect to form a quorum for meetings) 2)Is absent without permission from the charity trustees, from all meetings held within six months and the trustees resolve that his or her office be vacated |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | The charity trustees may delegate any of their powers or functions to a committee or committees, and, if they do, they shall determine the terms and conditions on which the delegation is made. The charity trustees may alter those terms and conditions or revoke the delegation |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | NA |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The Innocence Project London is based at the University of Greenwich which also provides office space and ad hoc administrative support to the project whose students undertake the work |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Innocence Project London |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1190617 |
| Charity’s principal address | University of Greenwich, Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9LS |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cairns | 09/12/21 | |||
| Gurvir Gill | 09/12/21 | |||
| Alexa Curtis | 01/07/24 | |||
| Lisa Helfer | 09/12/21 | |||
| Nuala Walsh | 09/12/21 | |||
| Rossana Rocchini | 01/07/24 | |||
| Isabelle Brennan | 01/01/25 | |||
| Katherine Youssouf |
01/01/25 | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name Louise Hewitt
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Nuala Walsh Full name(s) Rossana Rocchini Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair Chair, etc) Date 16 October 2025