Post Office Horizon compensation schemes
The ongoing fight to get justice for the many people who have been affected by the faults in the Post Office Horizon system is extremely upsetting and undeserved. What began as a technical failure became one of the UK's worst miscarriages of justice.
If you were convicted or affected in any way by the scandal you may be entitled to compensation.
What compensation schemes are available?
Depending on how you were directly impacted there are a number of schemes which could help including:
● Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS)
● Overturned Convictions Scheme (OC)
● Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS)
This can seem overwhelming but don’t worry if you are unsure which scheme applies to your situation.
Our expert solicitors will identify the most suitable option and guide you through making your claim.
Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme
The Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) was set up following the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024 to allow victims to recoup any financial compensation.
Simply put, if you were wrongly convicted of a crime because of the Horizon IT system used by the Post Office then you are eligible to be paid for your losses.
How do I register for the HCRS?
To register for the HCRS you must have had a conviction quashed meaning it has been overturned by the court, declaring it invalid by either:
- Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024
- Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act 2024
Whether you lived in Scotland or another part of the UK at the time of the conviction, we will be able to give you the best advice we can.
You could be notified that your conviction has been quashed from the following:
- Scottish Government Justice Directorate (Scotland)
- Ministry of Justice (England or Wales)
- Department for Justice (Northern Ireland)
The government is still in the process of writing to those who have been affected so you may still receive a letter. However, even if you have not received a letter you can still register if you believe you qualify for the scheme. If you are unsure what to do or how to navigate the process of registering for the scheme, please get in touch for assistance.
Overturned Conviction Scheme
Under the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act 2024, if your conviction was overturned by the court you are entitled to financial compensation for your losses. As of 3 June 2025, this will be processed in the same way as convictions overturned under the Act.
Even if you have not received a letter you can still register if you believe you qualify for the scheme. This scheme is operated by the Department of Business and Trade through the HCRS.
Horizon Shortfall Scheme
The Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) formerly known as the Historical Shortfall Scheme was created to address financial discrepancies experienced by current and former postmasters, as well as Post Office employees due to faults in earlier versions of the Horizon system.
If you have had to repay money and need to recover those losses you may be able to make a claim through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. Generally, eligibility requires that you held a contract with the Post Office. However we are happy to discuss your circumstances as there may still be options available even if no direct contract was in place.
HCRS and Overturned scheme
There is a potential fixed total sum of £600,000 which could be claimed. This consists of:
- Preliminary payment of £200,000
- Final payment of £400,000
This is the standard offer to all postmasters who have been wrongly accused. However, the potential value of your claim is in excess of £600,000 then we will help you pursue a more tailored claim with an individual, detailed assessment of your case.
Our firm has agreed to operate within the terms of the legal cost framework meaning there is no cost to you and we will not make any deductions from the settlement you will receive.
Horizons Shortfall scheme
You have two options with this scheme:
- Apply for a £75,000 fixed sum award
- A full assessment of your claim which includes a referral to an Independent Advisory Panel
It’s important to know that the fixed-sum award may not reflect the full amount you are entitled to – in many cases it could be more.
How can Digby Brown help?
We understand the suffering and injustice you have experienced are insurmountable. No one should have had to go through this. By carefully assessing your case and reviewing the evidence we can determine whether the fixed-sum offer is fair or whether you are entitled to more.
In complex cases like these, we will evaluate the total value of smaller sums known as ‘heads of claim.’ If you look at these values then you can get a bigger picture of the amount of the damages caused. This can include:
- Financial losses
- Psychological and emotional impact – both short and long term
- Any medical treatment or support required
Gathering all this information takes time, as your solicitor will need to build a thorough and accurate picture of your situation.
Our best advice is to get expert, independent guidance. We can assess your unique circumstances and provide you with clear, supportive advice so that you can get what you deserve.
If you are unsure which scheme applies to you, or may apply, we can help you understand your options and guide you through the claims process.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the Post Office Horizon compensation schemes.
How much will it cost me to pursue a claim?
There is no cost as all the legal fees under the Horizon Conviction Redress Scheme are paid by the government. They have now introduced a similar arrangement for appeals under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
Can I make a claim on behalf of someone else?
In some cases, yes. If someone has died - either before or after the conviction was overturned - if a family member is the executor then they can pursue a claim.
Equally there are cases where family members can bring forward their own claim, particularly if they personally contributed money to the Post Office during the scandal and may be entitled to recover those losses. Our team can help assess your circumstances and advise whether you may be eligible to make a claim.
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