The Standing Advocate, Cindy Butts, is responsible for leading the office of the Independent Public Advocate and for providing support to victims of major incidents which are declared as such by the Secretary of State for Justice.
Cindy Butts has over 20 years’ experience dedicated to enhancing access to justice and tackling inequality. Throughout her career she has been a strong and visible advocate for victims, survivors, and marginalised communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs placed at the centre of decision-making.
She has held senior roles including Deputy Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Commissioner at the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Criminal Cases Review Commission, and Vice Chair of the Bar Standards Board’s Independent Decision-Making Body. She has also served on key parliamentary bodies, including the House of Lords Conduct Committee and the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
Across her career, Cindy has been trusted to lead in moments of institutional failure, public crisis and intense scrutiny. She is known for her calm authority, her commitment to victims and survivors, and her focus on ensuring that the burden of seeking truth and justice rests with the system – never with those who have already suffered harm.