WITN10370154
WITN10370154
From: Swil, Jonathan
Sent: 10 April 2014 12:01
To: Band, Christa
Subject: Post Office update
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Christa
I spoke with David Oliver about where they are up to. He appreciated the call.
There was a Board meeting yesterday. The recommendation the Executive gave for dealing with the Scheme was to
stop the process and get rid of the Working Group and Second Sight but continue investigating claims internally in
order to “ do the right thing” by SPMRs. This could include mediating if and where the PO wants to.
The Board didn’ t make any firm decisions but sent the Executive away with various tasks, presumably, the outcomes.
of which are to allow the Board to come to a firm decision. The next Board meeting is on 30/4/14 so that is the next
date they are working towards. David said they are working out what needs doing but he thinks they will come to us
for further assistance on
1 crafting something to say publicly along the lines “ we’ re not liable, so everyone should calm down” witr
creating legal issues for the PO
2 if ex gratia payments were made, what is the minimum quantum they could pay that would minimise any legal
issues. The BIS representative said they would not be comfortable with the PO paying any more than a toker
amount. I’ m not sure this has an easy answer as any payment in principle might cause issues re JR or
otherwise.
David said he would likely get back to us early next week once they have settled on exactly what they want us to do.
Separately, they have commissioned an assurance report from Deloitte on Horizon who are meant to report back 15
days (or business days) from yesterday.
Jonathan
Jonathan Swil
Managing Associate (Solicitor, New South Wales)
Linklaters LLP, London