Find out what we are doing to provide support and assistance to those who have suffered.
Hundreds of people with convictions related to the Horizon IT Scandal had these overturned by legislation known as the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act which passed into law in May 2024.
This covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with similar legislation introduced for Scotland in June 2024.
This clears people’s names, delivers justice and ensures swifter access to financial redress.
The Ministry of Justice is identifying convictions within the scope of the Act in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Scottish Government is doing so in Scotland. On 30 July 2024, the UK Government published an updated open letter to postmasters setting out the process which can be read here.
If you have any questions on this process, you may wish to contact the Ministry of Justice: postofficeconvictions@justice.gov.uk.
Appeals process for criminal convictions
People whose convictions are not covered by the Act can apply to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), more information is available here.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The CCRC is an independent body and their service is free. The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission covers Scotland.
They are familiar with Post Office cases, conduct individual investigations and reviews, and decide whether cases should be referred to the appeal courts. Cases referred by the CCRC must be heard by the appeal courts who then determine the safety of convictions. Information about the CCRC and application forms can be found on their website. Information on the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission can be found here.
Pre-Horizon convictions
On 30 September 2024, the Government published an independent report by Kroll forensic accountants which examined the Capture software that was used in some Post Office branches in the 1990s. In its report, Kroll concluded there was a reasonable likelihood Capture could have created shortfalls for postmasters. In December 2024, the Business Secretary committed to providing redress for postmasters who suffered losses as a result of Capture. The government is working with victims to determine the form and scope of redress, alongside eligibility criteria.
The Kroll report does not take a view whether any possible convictions were unsafe. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and Scotland Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) are investigating criminal convictions which may be Capture related.
If you think your conviction has been affected by recent findings about the Capture system, you can also contact the CCRC (or SCCRC if you were convicted in Scotland).
If you wish to get in touch with Post Office about your conviction you can do so at disclosure@postoffice.co.uk.
Financial redress
For more information about applying for financial redress if your conviction has been overturned, please see here.