POL00117179
POL00117179
Adrian Bailey MP.
Chair, Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
10" March 2015
Dear Mr Bailey
Post Office Complaint Review and Mediation Scheme Update
In light of your Committee’s current Inquiry, I am writing to inform you of a decision we have
made in relation to the Post Office Complaint Review and Mediation Scheme.
Having completed all our investigations into individual cases, which have found no
evidence of a system wide issue with the Horizon computer system and associated issues,
we will now put forward for mediation all cases remaining in the Scheme, with the exception
of those where the Courts have ruled on the subject of the applicant’s complaint. This will
accelerate conclusion of the Scheme while continuing to provide a focus for individual
concerns. I should stress that this does not change the process in relation to what an
applicant can expect through their participation in the Scheme.
Of the 136 cases that entered the Scheme and have now been investigated, [xx] have
been resolved, closed or put forward for mediation. A further [xx] involve earlier Court
rulings. This means we now intend to put xx cases forward for mediation, overseen by the
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). The Post Office will also continue to offer
independent analysis for all cases from forensic accountants.
For those applicants who have been the subject of Court rulings, we will continue to
consider each on a case by case basis. Mediation cannot alter the findings of the judicial
process, however, while the Post Office is under a positive ongoing duty immediately
to disclose any information that might undermine its prosecution case or support the
case of the defendant.However, applicants remain able to pursue the normal legal
avenues open to them to appeal and in considering this approach, they will have the
benefit of the Post Office’s investigation into their case and the opportunity of a
review by independent forensic accountants Second Sight.
We will continue to work with Second Sight to complete their ‘part two’ report.
The Post Office has published a report outlining the process it has undertaken to handle
this issue which we will share with the committee. _I enclose a copy of the press notice we
have issued today.
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Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions, or if you would like any
further information. I have also written to the Minister for Employment Relations and
Consumer Affairs to update her on the position.
Yours sincerely
Paula Vennells
Chief Executive