Postmasters whose convictions have been overturned by the Post
Office Offences Act (including that passed by the Scottish
Government) can now apply to a new redress scheme.
From today, postmasters are invited to come forward and register
for the scheme, known as the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme
(HCRS). Once eligibility is confirmed the new scheme will
provide swift and fair redress, allowing those affected to
rebuild their lives.
Many victims have been traumatised by the Post Office Horizon
Scandal and this scheme aims to ensure that postmasters receive
redress without unnecessary bureaucracy.
Business and Trade Secretary said:
“Postmasters have suffered immeasurably so I hope today's new
redress scheme brings some relief to postmasters who have waited
far too long to get back the money that is rightfully
theirs.
“Any postmaster who thinks they are eligible for this scheme can
come forward and register. We know that every case is different,
and this government fully supports the right of every postmaster
to choose what is best for them.”
Postmasters eligible can either accept a fixed settlement of
£600,000 or those who believe their losses exceed that amount can
choose a full claim assessment route. This will mean their
application will be fully examined by a team of dedicated
caseworkers in the Department for Business and Trade.
The scheme will be delivered by the Department for Business and
Trade with a key aim of providing as much transparency as
possible about how it will operate and how decisions will be
taken on redress. Guidance has been published today which
will allow postmasters to see how much redress they may be
eligible for and what will be taken into account when assessing
applications.
Following Royal Assent of the Post Office Offences Act, hundreds
of postmasters had their convictions overturned providing they
met the following criteria:
- Prosecutions were brought about by the Post Office or Crown
Prosecution Service (or in Northern Ireland, the state prosecutor
or the police).
- Offences were carried out in connection with Post Office
business between 1996 and 2018.
- Offences were for relevant offences such as theft, fraud and
false accounting.
- Offences were against sub-postmasters, their employees,
officers, family members or direct employees of the Post Office
working in a Post Office that used the Horizon system
software.
- The conviction has not been considered by the Court of
Appeal
The Department for Business and Trade will work closely with the
Ministry of Justice to confirm the eligibility of individuals
registering for the scheme and postmasters with overturned
convictions will begin to receive written confirmation of their
exoneration from the Ministry of Justice from this
week.
The letters will also explain how criminal justice agencies will
be amending their court and criminal records. If there is
insufficient evidence to confirm that a conviction can be
quashed, postmasters may receive a request to submit further
information.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice , said:
“Justice must be a reality, not an ideal. Today we begin putting
this into practice by overturning the convictions of the innocent
postmasters affected by this inexplicable and unprecedented
miscarriage of justice.
“I pay tribute to those hard-working men and women for their
courage and determination. I am pleased today we can begin to
right this wrong and ensure they are quickly and fairly
compensated.”
The Government has committed to paying all reasonable legal fees
for postmasters' legal representation to ensure more of their own
money is not spent on this appalling scandal.
The independent inquiry continues its work of uncovering the
truth behind the Horizon scandal so that the right people can be
held to account, and justice can be served.
Notes to Editors
- As of the 28 June, approximately £236 million has been paid
to over 2,800 postmasters. This includes:
- £64 million in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme
- £124 million in the Historical Shortfall Scheme (HSS)
- £49 million in the Overturned Convictions (OC) scheme
