Exoneration scheme

Details of the scheme…

The Department of Business and Trade and Ministry of Justice have just launched a redress scheme for postmasters, managers and employed staff who were wrongfully convicted of theft, fraud and other related charges as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

The Ministry of Justice are going through a process to identify and notify individuals whose convictions have been quashed by the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act who will be eligible to apply for the redress scheme from 30th July. The Compensation Advisory Board, on which I sit, is taking a keen interest.

Some people who might be entitled to exoneration and compensation may be confused, feel embarrassed or frightened, about coming forward, and therefore may benefit from help as they navigate this exoneration process. The Department for Business and Trade has announced that this redress scheme will cover the legal costs incurred by anyone making an application to the scheme and has published the tariff of legal fees against which it will reimburse costs.

Affected people (or their surviving families or representatives) can register for the scheme and get further support at www.gov.uk/horizon-convictions-redress-scheme

Free legal advice can also be sought from one of the solicitor firms who have been assisting postmasters, and who have committed not to charge victims. Those solicitors include:

Howe + Co solicitors – help@howe.co.uk

Hudgell solicitors – nmh@hudgellsolicitors.co.uk

Freeths LLP – OverTurnedConvictionTeam@freeths.co.uk

Hodge Jones and Allen solicitors - contactus@hja.net

More details on the scheme can be found here: gov.uk/Horizon-Convictions-Redress-Scheme

Please do follow this up if you think you may fall within this scheme.