Final judgment in the Post Office Group Litigation

The final judgment in the high−profile Post Office Group Litigation was handed down today at 2pm, by the Managing Judge, Mr Justice Fraser.

The judgment concerns the integrity of the Horizon IT system and whether or not it was robust, as the Post Office had claimed for many years.

The claimants have been represented throughout the litigation, on all issues, by Patrick Green QC, Kathleen Donnelly, Henry Warwick , Ognjen Miletic and Reanne MacKenzie of Henderson Chambers, instructed by Freeths LLP.

Settlement last week

The litigation was settled last week, with the Post Office revealing to journalists that it had agreed to pay £57.75 million.  The settlement was widely welcomed by Subpostmasters and Subpostmistresses and hailed by Claimant Jo Hamilton as one of the best days of her life.

Chairman of the Post Office, Tim Parker, expressed gratitude to claimants for holding the Post Office to account in circumstances where, in the past, it had fallen short and apologised to those affected.

Alan Bates said that it would seem that that there is a genuine desire to move on from these legacy issues and learn lessons from the past.

Significance of Horizon Judgment

This judgment represents the final victory for more than 550 Claimants against the Post Office.

It is obviously important for the review of past convictions currently being undertaken by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

A copy of the Final Judgment (with appendices) can be found here and on the links below.