Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s Report
Yesterday saw the publication of Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s Report.
This Inquiry, which was established in September 2020, has held 226 days of hearings, heard oral evidence from 298 witness and reviewed over 270,000 documents to establish a clear account of the implementation and failings of the Horizon IT system at the Post Office.
The Horizon Scandal has been repeatedly described as ‘one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British history’ and this report marks a huge milestone in the process of seeking to bring justice to over 700 sub postmasters and sub postmistresses.
Volume 1 is focused on the human impact of the Post Office Scandal and the issue of redress. Sir Wyn Williams, Chair of the Inquiry, reflects on the real-life impacts of the Horizon scandal. He has examined the “disastrous” effects through the lens of 17 first hand experiences, including three core participants Hodge Jones and Allen have represented during the Inquiry. Sir Wyn has utilised this Report to make 19 recommendations in light of the Inquiry’s investigations.
Some key elements of these recommendations include:
- For the Post Office and Government to define what ‘full and fair’ compensation is and ensuring this definition is met when delivering compensation.
- Claimants in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) should have government funded legal advice to assist them through the scheme’s process.
- The introduction of a senior lawyer appointed to the HSS, who is given powers to guarantee offers are full, fair and prompt.
- The recognition that close family members affected by the scandal should be able to receive financial redress that recognises their suffering.
- The creation of a standing public body to form and administer financial redress for people who have been wronged by public bodies.
- A report to be prepared by Post Office, Fujitsu and the Government outlining their plan for restorative justice by 31 October 2025.
These recommendations are all centred around the need to address issues preventing full and fair redress. Sir Wyn has asked for the Government, and where appropriate the Post Office and Fujitsu, to provide written responses to these recommendations by the 10th October 2025.
Sir Wyn has urged the Government to consider his recommendations without delay, removing the need to wait until the publication of his complete report. With this encouragement and deadlines proposed within his recommendations, it will be interesting to see the impact this report will have on the Government, the Post Office and Fujitsu.
The authors of this article are:
Aneka Thirurajah Deputy Head of the Public Inquiry Team and Senior Associate
Anna Williams Senior Paralegal.
Contact our Post Office Inquiry Claims team
If you have been affected by the Post Office scandal and wish to share your experience, please reach out to our HJA Post Office Inquiry team promptly. You can get in touch via email or request a callback at your convenience.
For assistance with legal representation in the inquiry or overturning convictions please contact Partner, Mike Schwarz
For help with compensation claims contact Partners Chun Wong and Cormac McDonough