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21 July 2021
Issue: 7942 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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More Horizon convictions quashed

A further 12 former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses including three who served time in prison, have had their convictions relating to the Post Office (PO) Horizon scandal overturned by the Court of Appeal

The 12 were convicted in private prosecutions by the PO using evidence from its Horizon accounting system that showed unexplained shortfalls at branches across the country. The Horizon software was later found to be faulty and unreliable.

In April, 39 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses had their convictions overturned, in Hamilton & Ors v PO [2021] EWCA Crim 577.

Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, who has represented 46 of the 57 successful appellants, said: ‘Once again we have been proud to represent a group of people here who did no wrong, who were bullied into admitting to crimes they had not committed, made to pay back large sums of money they had not taken and who saw their lives irreparably damaged as a result.’

The PO has said it will not contest any Horizon appeals and has written to 540 former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses to say they may have been wrongfully prosecuted.

Issue: 7942 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

From first-generation student to trailblazing president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, John McElroy of Fieldfisher reflects on resilience, identity and the power of bringing your whole self to the law

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Planning and environment team expands with partner hire in Manchester

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

Firm appoints chief operating officer to strengthen leadership team

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