About

The Scottish Postmasters for Justice & Redress (SPJR) is a support group working to reverse the convictions of Scottish postmasters who were prosecuted due to serious issues with Post Office Ltd and its Horizon computer system.

Background

Victims in Scotland felt a strong need for a support group due to the differences in the legal system. The group specifically focuses on the needs of postmasters, their assistants, and Crown office employees of Post Office Ltd. Many victims are unaware of how they can be exonerated or what redress options are available to them. 

Former postmaster Robert Thomson was one of the first victims in Scotland to have his conviction overturned. In November 2024, he met with Calum Greenhow, CEO of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) and a former postmaster, to discuss the necessity of a support group for Scottish victims. Marion Fellows, the former MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Post Office, soon offered her support, leading to the formation of the Scottish Postmasters for Justice & Redress (SPJR) group. 

On December 12, 2024, the SPJR met with Cabinet Secretary Constance, the Lord Advocate, officials from the Scottish Office, and NFSP lawyers. This meeting aimed to highlight that victims still had not received the justice they deserved, and that accessing redress was taking too long. The goal is to officially launch the SPJR during an event at Holyrood in March.

Why is the group needed?

It is estimated that around 140 individuals were prosecuted in Scotland due to issues related to the Horizon IT system. Many of those affected by the Horizon scandal are reluctant to engage with Post Office Limited, resulting in a loss of rightful compensation for them. 

It has now been six years since Lord Justice Fraser delivered his judgment on the Common Issues trial, which revealed that the contract between Post Office Ltd and postmasters, involved oppressive behaviour. The judgment highlighted that Post Office Ltd denied the existence of bugs, defects, or errors in the Horizon system that caused discrepancies in accounts.

Sadly, despite the rulings in March 2019 (Common Issues) and December 2019 (Horizon Issues), many victims are still struggling to either overturn their convictions or access the various compensation schemes available. 

We have learned that many former postmasters covered losses in their post offices using their own funds and still believe that the different compensation schemes do not apply to them. 

Given the passage of time, some victims may have relocated, making it difficult for the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) or Post Office Ltd to communicate with them. Moreover, many individuals have such low confidence in the authorities that they are hesitant to come forward. Through the SPJR initiative, anyone affected by these events can feel assured and safe to come forward now.

Summary

• 68 cases have completed assessment, of those 57 convictions were identified as quashed under the legislation with 1 case which involved an alternative to prosecution. 11 convictions are identified as not quashed.
• 28 cases remain, of those 19 appear out of scope but need further investigation and 9 require further information, a Panel decision or are going through address checks.

Purpose of the group

• To find all those who have been convicted, so they can apply for redress.
• Help and support those who have been prosecuted.
• To quash the convictions of those who have been prosecuted. 
• To encourage postmasters who were not convicted but paid their own money to Post Office Ltd to come forward. 

Contact us

If your case is linked to the PO Horizon system and would like help and support from other postmasters who are facing the same difficulties as yourself, please do get in touch.