Bill overview factsheet:
Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill
Horizon scandal factsheet:
Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill
European Convention on
Human Rights Memorandum: Post Office (Horizon System) Offences
Bill
Financial redress
factsheet: Post Office (Horizon System) Offences
Bill
Equalities statement: Post
Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill
Details
On 10 January 2024, the Prime Minister announced a major step
forward in response to the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. The
Prime Minister confirmed that the government will introduce new
primary legislation to make sure that those convicted as a result
of the Horizon scandal, which began in the 1990s, are swiftly
exonerated and compensated. Our announcement attracted widespread
support in both Houses of Parliament and beyond.
The Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on 13 March 2024,
will quash the convictions of those within scope of the defined
criteria set out within the legislation. It will extend to
England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland prosecutions in
this matter were undertaken by the relevant authorities in those
legal jurisdictions. The UK government believes that victims in
those jurisdictions are best served by local decisions tailored
to the judicial systems in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Compensation will be paid on a UK-wide.
These supporting documents provide additional information to
inform Parliament and public as to the potential impacts of this
legislation.
