POL00462743 - Letter from HSF to Hudgell re Compensation for Parmod Kalia

Evidence on official site

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Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Exchange House

Hudgell Solicitors es Street

No. 2 @ The Dock

46 Humber Street

Hull

HU1 1TU “Www Rerbertsmithitreshilis com
DX 11923 HULL Gararainasaes,
Your ret
NMHIKL
. oo Date
By email: nmh¢ GRO 25 January 2024

Dear Hudgell Solicitors

Your client: Parmod Kalia
Our client: Post Office Limited ("Post Office”)

POL00462743
POL00462743

1. We are writing with regard to the announcement on 10 January 2024 that the Department
for Business and Trade ("DBT”) will be bringing forward legislation to overturn the convictions
of all those convicted in England or Wales on the basis of Post Office evidence given during
the Horizon scandal and allow for the recovery of compensation. DBT will also be engaging
with the Scottish and Northern Irish Administrations in respect of convictions in their
jurisdictions. More details of the announcement made to Parliament can be found at

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-01-10/debates/3DDD9684-C08D-4E5E-
AF73-CF85839412AB/PostOfficeHorizonScandal.

2. As you are aware, Post Office and DBT have actively been considering the approach to the

existing so-called "Public Interest" cases in light of this development.

3. Notwithstanding that the proposed legislation is yet to be enacted, given Mr Kalia has already
had his conviction overturned, DBT has confirmed that he will now be treated as eligible to
claim compensation in the same way as other Claimants whose convictions have been

overturned.

4. We are conscious that Mr Kalia has already settled his claims. As such, it is proposed that
he be entitled to claim top-up compensation to the extent that would put him in the same
position as other claimants with overturned convictions. In the meantime, the settlement
payment received by Mr Kalia pursuant to the settlement agreement dated 27 January 2023

would be treated as an interim payment on account of his damages.

5. Subject to the above, Mr Kalia will now therefore be able to either accept the £600,000

DBT Up Front Offer or proceed to a full assessment of his non-pecuniary and pecuniary

claims and receive compensation accordingly.

6. Post Office hopes this comes as welcome news to Mr Kalia but please let us know if you

have any queries or would like to discuss.
Yours faithfully

Weer Gren fescios LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

41/85070300_1