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What to do if you’ve been affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal

Please note this advice has now been updated. Visit this page for the most up to date advice.

What can I do about my conviction for a Horizon criminal offence?

  • Government and the Post Office strongly encourage anyone who believes they were wrongfully convicted, for any reason, to consider an appeal. Substantial compensation is available for anyone whose conviction is overturned where Horizon was essential to the prosecution.
  • People with convictions can contact the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) at https://ccrc.gov.uk/post-office/ who can advise on routes of appeal. The CCRC has referred 70 such convictions to the Court of Appeal – resulting in 62 convictions being overturned so far. The process doesn’t cost anything, and there is no need to hire a lawyer.
  • Every Postmaster with overturned convictions reliant on Horizon evidence will be given an up-front compensation offer of £600,000, without the need to bring a formal claim. This is entirely optional and postmasters can continue with a formal claim if they wish.

I wasn’t convicted – but I was a postmaster affected by the scandal.

  • Current and former postmasters affected by the scandal can apply to join the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. There is more information here and the application form is here.

I want the truth about the scandal to be told.

  • The Government has set up an independent inquiry under former High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams. The inquiry is aiming to ensure that the truth about the scandal is known, that mistakes are learnt from and to ensure that nothing similar happens in future. You can follow its work here.

I have evidence about the scandal.

There is also free, independent, and confidential help and advice available from Citizens Advice. Their dedicated webpage on appeals against convictions is here.

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