Post Office Horizon IT scandal – expert legal support
The Post Office Horizon IT scandal has impacted lives and livelihoods nationwide. Many innocent people have endured financial ruin, reputational damage, and immense emotional distress.
Compensation schemes are available to former or current postmasters who have suffered financial loss due to Horizon and also for postmasters or employees who were wrongly convicted. We provide legal expertise and experience to help the victims navigate this complex process.
We can advise you on:
Horizon Shortfall Scheme (“HSS”)
This scheme compensates current and former Postmasters who were not criminally convicted but have suffered shortfalls and other financial losses due to the Horizon system.
Using our many years of experience and involvement in pursuing Horizon IT claims we have secured several millions of pounds of compensation for applicants around the UK.
If you are a current or former sub-postmaster that suffered shortfalls and have not yet applied, get in touch and we’ll discuss how we can help.
Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (“HCRS”)
On 30 July 2024, the UK government announced the launch of the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS), delivered by the Department for Business and Trade (“DBT”). The scheme provides financial redress to Sub-Postmasters and Post Office workers who had their convictions quashed by legislation in the Westminster or Scottish Parliament.
If you are eligible to submit a claim under the HCRS, the DBT strongly advises that you instruct a lawyer to help with the application process. We are on the DBT list of lawyers. We will not charge you for your claim.
Have you received a Letter from The Ministry of Justice?
Many people have already received a letter from the Ministry of Justice (“MOJ”) confirming that their conviction has been quashed and removed from the court and police records. The letter confirms that they are eligible to apply for compensation under the HCRS.
Contact us to start the application process. We will quickly arrange payment of your initial interim £200k compensation payment into your bank account and evaluate whether you should accept a fixed final compensation of £600k or evaluate and secure your claim at a higher sum.
If you haven’t received a Letter from the MOJ?
There are still hundreds more previously convicted Sub-Postmasters and Post Office workers who have not received the MOJ letter. If you haven’t received a letter, don’t worry. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your conviction has not been quashed or that you are ineligible to apply for the HCRS.
Post Office Capture IT System
Capture was a computer system used in Post Office branches from 1992 to 1999, before the introduction of Horizon.
Many sub-postmasters suffered shortfalls whilst using the Capture system, resulting in them having to repay the “losses”. In some cases, it also resulted in suspension or termination of their contract and even criminal prosecution.
A recent investigation by Kroll, an international financial and risk advisory company, has concluded that there is a “reasonable likelihood” that Capture could have generated shortfalls for sub-postmasters.
The UK Government is currently reviewing the Kroll report and will announce what action it will take in December 2024. This may include the creation of a compensation scheme for sub-postmasters who suffered shortfalls whilst operating Capture.
If you were a Sub-postmaster who used Capture at your branch between 1992 to 1999 and believe you suffered financial losses and/or was subject to suspension, termination or prosecution by the Post Office, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your options and how we can assist in registering and supporting your claim for compensation.
Stephen Lewis
Stephenlewis@schofieldsweeney.co.uk
0300 123 0406