The Innocence Project London (IPL) investigates claims of innocence from convicted individuals who have exhausted the criminal appeals process and need support to make an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Hear from our students
The IPL currently only accepts student volunteers from the University of Greenwich. Students from other universities can apply for an unpaid internship. Details can be found on the IPL website.
The Innocence Project was a critical part of my time spent at Greenwich. It cemented my understanding to work in the criminal justice system, by adding a real person who needs your help and providing a realisation of why I wanted to enter the world of law. I learned the vast depths at which it takes to consider a person's case, particularly one who has already been faced with the justice system. Furthermore, the role of a caseworker provides you with the skills and knowledge to comprehend a closed case, by unpicking it at every level and putting yourself in the defendant's place. I heavily developed my understanding of the law not covered in my studies but more importantly I was able to meet my client personally in prison, and go into depth about the irregularities of their conviction. This role has been one of the fundamental reasons why I have stayed working in the law, as it gave me an insight to the people at the forefront of the system and provided me with a clear purpose to help others to this day.
-James Kelly, LLB Hons Law 2023
My internship with the Innocence Project London was a deeply meaningful experience that taught me to think critically, challenge my own assumptions, and look beyond the legal system to the individuals affected by it. I developed a heightened attention to detail, stronger communication skills, and a deeper appreciation for the responsibility that comes with legal advocacy. Most importantly, the experience challenged me to navigate the tension between personal morality and the objectivity required by the law, a balance that remains one of the most valuable lessons I carry with me. I now apply these lessons as a bankruptcy paralegal, assisting individuals facing difficult financial circumstances and seeking relief through the legal system. My experience with IPL ultimately reinforced my commitment to pursuing law school and a career in which I can continue advocating for others.
-Tylie Kraus, IPL Intern
My internship with Innocence Project London was an incredibly enlightening and fulfilling professional experience, but even more than that, it was transformational personally. Whether I was helping prepare applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, reviewing testimony from people affected by Joint Enterprise convictions, or contributing to a podcast series, I saw how painstaking research and advocacy can give people who feel forgotten by the legal system a voice. Personally, the experience taught me to listen more carefully, question my assumptions, and never lose sight of the person behind the paperwork. Louise trusted us to take ownership of incredibly important work while always walking alongside us when we needed guidance. I left London not only more certain that I want to pursue a career in law, but with a different understanding of what good leadership looks like: giving people the confidence and agency to take initiative while making sure they never feel they are navigating difficult work alone
-Maggie McGinnis, IPL Intern
International Wrongful Conviction Day, 2 October 2026
What is Wrongful Conviction Day?
International Wrongful Conviction Day is a day to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction and to recognise the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs for innocent people and their families.
Wrongful Conviction Day began as an effort of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organisations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed.
The Innocence Project London
The IPL was established in 2010 and became a registered charity in 2020. The Director, Dr Louise Hewitt, is an Associate Professor of Law. Students from across the faculty work in small groups to review and investigate claims of innocence. The IPL was the first English innocence organisation to join the global Innocence Network, an affiliation of over 70 innocence organisations from around the world.
The aim of our work is to submit an application to the CCRC, an independent body that reviews possible miscarriages of justice in the United Kingdom. It can decide whether a conviction or sentence should be referred back to the Court of Appeal. The CCRC will only refer a case if it finds new evidence and/or a new legal argument that was not put forward at the time of the trial or appeal, and that would render the conviction unsafe, in the sense that it would have changed the jury's decision had they been aware of it.
Students working on the IPL learn through the ‘Innocence Project model’ of clinical legal education, supported by the Director and the academic teaching team, working alongside lawyers who give their time pro bono to support our work. The student groups analyse the evidence that led to conviction, develop legal theories that could reopen the case and search for factual evidence of innocence.
Watch a TedX about the IPL's work here.
One of our clients, serving a life sentence said:
The students’ hard work has given me hope that there is a chance of a favourable decision.
We are indebted to our partners Weil, Gotshal & Manges, the University of Greenwich, and Inventive Productions who provide financial and administrative support, and advocate on our behalf. Thank you for your continued belief in what we do; without your help, we would not be the organisation we’ve evolved into over the last few years.
But we need to – and can – do more.
How you can help
The Innocence Project London is a registered charity. We don’t receive government funding - we depend entirely on the generosity of people like you.
We rely on donations. Any amount will help us accomplish our goals:
- £25 supports our administrative work to keep in contact with clients and applicants
- £100 supports the cost of one prison visit to interview a client
- £300 supports the cost of three prison visits to interview each client.
- £1000 will support the cost of casework manager for 6 hours a week to support the administration of the IPL, without whom we cannot effectively support applicants and clients
- £1500 helps instruct an expert to enhance CCTV
- £2000 helps instruct an expert to review medical evidence.
Please consider a donation below or via our JustGiving webpage.
There are other ways to support us as well:
- Follow on LinkedIn, Instagram and X and/or share our posts
- Listen and share the IPL Podcast with four new episodes highlighting the impact of innocence work
