POST OFFICE has received more than 700 applications to its scheme for current and former sub-postmasters to claim shortfalls related to the scandal-hit computer system Horizon.
The Historical Shortfall Scheme was launched on May 1 following the settlement between over 550 claimant postmasters and the Post Office in the long-running Horizon trial.
As of July 8, the scheme received 715 applications.
A week after the settlement, in which Post Office agreed to pay £58 million to the litigants, the High Court ruled in favour of the postmasters, finding issues in the robustness of the earlier versions of Horizon, which had the potential to affect branch accounting.
Post Office also initiated a review to identify cases of prosecution that may have relied on data for the Horizon system, which was introduced in 1999. The review identified about 900 such cases as of late May.
Furthermore, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred the convictions of 47 sub-postmasters for appeal till date, out of the 61 applications it received on Horizon related cases.
The shortfall scheme is open to both current and former postmasters, and the claims will be assessed by an independent advisory panel. Applicants who are unsatisfied with the assessment outcome, can opt for a dispute resolution procedure that will provide further review and independent mediation.
The panel consists of Alex Charlton QC, a leading barrister with particular expertise in software and IT systems, Susan Blower, a forensic accounting partner at BDO and fellow of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and retail expert Sunder Sandher, a member of the Independent Retailer Board of the Association of Convenience Stores.
The closing date for applications is 14 August. Details of the scheme are available at www.onepostoffice.co.uk/scheme or by emailing historicalshortfallscheme@postoffice.co.uk.
Kulsuma Aktergetty images