Unprecedented Support for Post Office Horizon Victims: Free Legal Aid Now Available!

In a groundbreaking announcement, the UK government has declared that all victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal will now be entitled to free legal advice when claiming compensation. This significant change aims to assist victims in evaluating their offers, potentially leading to increased payouts. The decision follows recommendations from the public inquiry, described as one of Britain’s worst miscarriages of justice, and underscores a commitment to address the harm caused by the faulty Horizon system.

The Horizon scandal resulted in over 900 sub-postmasters being wrongly prosecuted as a result of the malfunctioning computer system, which falsely indicated missing funds in their branch accounts. Many victims, facing immense pressure, invested their own savings to cover these supposed shortfalls to avoid prosecution.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized the ongoing need for justice, acknowledging that the government has accepted nearly all recommendations from the inquiry, save for one. In particular, the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) is central to the new legal changes, as it covers more than half of all compensation claims processed to date. Victims can now receive government-funded legal assistance to make informed decisions about compensatory offers—a response to longstanding complaints about unfair compensation practices.

Additionally, the government is establishing a new appeals process for postmasters who previously accepted fixed payouts. Other measures include extending the HSS scheme closure date, clarifying what constitutes ’full and fair redress’, and initiating a restorative justice project for affected postmasters.

To date, over £1.2 billion has been disbursed to more than 9,000 claimants across various compensation schemes, with a new deadline set for January 2026 for accepting new HSS applications. This extension is aimed at giving prospective applicants more time to assess their eligibility.

Individual accounts, like that of Tony Downey, illustrate the human impact of the scandal, as he recounts the detrimental effects on his family, finances, and health after investing £35,000 to cover apparent losses due to Horizon’s faults. Downey’s frustration highlights the ongoing struggles many victims face in navigating the compensation process, which he describes as a constant battle.

Neil Hudgell, a solicitor representing numerous victims, noted that despite these changes, the claims process remains sluggish. He expressed that additional resources are crucial to expedite the handling of claims, implying that unless addressed, this issue will persist for years to come. Overall, the newfound legal support represents a critical step toward rectifying injustices faced by those affected by the Horizon scandal.