Did he give the orders in his previous life so to speak though?
He relied heavily on his parents for cash. And in relation to the farm he did what ever he did at the discretion of Nevill. Who was the gaffer.
I agree about confidence boosters. But even if there was compelling evidence of his innocence which was sure to set him free. The whole process is long mammoth task. Especially when dealing with a vastly understaffed establishment like the CCRC. Jeremy is fully aware of this. It can take years for a referral. It took him 13 years to get to the court of appeal from the first appeal knockback back in. 1989
ILB, I'm referring more to how he liked to see himself as being, ie the funeral suit which he proudly displayed as bearing the legend "Boss", and declaring it was now him, as opposed to the actuality. I think it entirely possible that Nevill had held him back -possibly thinking he was trying to run before he could walk, and partly because he wasn't certain if he could be trusted- and he saw the "Boss moment" as being "The king is dead. Long live the King".
I have no knowledge of how the CCRC works, but I don't question anything you say of it and I agree that JB has had long enough to know as much as you, about it.