NZ HERBERT
SMITH
Zaye PREEHILLS
Strictly private and confidential Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Exchange House
Primrose Street
Paul Marshall Londen. EC2A.2EG.
Cornerstone Barristers
2-3 Gray's Inn Square, Gray's Inn
Sy
POL00462744
POL00462744
London www herberismithfreehills.com
WC1R 5JH ure
2076/31043483
Date
25 January 2024
By email to pmarshall
Dear Mr Marshall
Your client: Vipinchandra Patel
Our client: Post Office Limited ("Post Office”)
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 we foreshadowed in our 16 January letter, 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 Patel 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. Mr Patel 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.
5. Additionally, we note that Post Office is considering the interim payment application dated
26 July 2021 that was sent to our firm by Mr Patel's previous legal representative, and we
will revert as soon as possible in this regard.
6. Post Office hopes this comes as welcome news to Mr Patel but please let us know if you
have any queries or would like to discuss.
Yours faithfully
Yemes Sent Fescius LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
11/85068084_1