More potential Post Office applicants to hear from CCRC

As the Horizon IT Post Office Inquiry moves to Scotland this week to hear impact statements from Scottish sub postmasters, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is preparing to write to a further 88 potential Post Office applicants in England and Wales ¹.

The Post Office has provided the CCRC with updated contact details for sub postmasters and counter staff in England and Wales who were convicted for fraud, theft, or false accounting. This will mean the CCRC will have written to around 260 potential applicants by the end of May.

The CCRC’s letter contains details of how to apply to the CCRC to have their conviction reviewed, and information on how to appeal directly to the Courts where a right of appeal still exists. 

Currently nine individuals have asked for further details on how to appeal or apply to the CCRC as a result of the campaign.

CCRC Chairman Helen Pitcher OBE said: “As the independent Public Inquiry into the Post Office Horizon system moves to Scotland, we will once again hear the devastating impact these convictions have had on the individuals concerned.

“Applying to us is free and individuals do not need a lawyer to do so. There is also no time limit on applying to us.

“We are determined to make sure we do all we can to raise awareness of the options open to convicted sub-postmasters and counter staff.”

To date the CCRC has referred 59 Post Office Horizon cases in England and Wales to the appeal courts. 

Of those 53 have had their convictions for fraud, theft, or false accounting overturned.

The CCRC is currently considering a further 32 Post Office Horizon applications.

Further information can be found online at www.ccrc.gov.uk/postofficecases/

Notes to Editors 

1. The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission is responsible for independently reviewing miscarriages of justice in Scotland.  It is currently reviewing several Scottish Post Office cases. For more information see www.sccrc.co.uk
2. Enquiries around Scottish Horizon Post Office cases should be directed to the SCCRC. Email: info@sccrc.org.uk
3. The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for independently reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is based in Birmingham and is funded by the Ministry of Justice.  
4. There are currently 11 Commissioners who bring to the CCRC considerable experience from a wide variety of backgrounds. Commissioners are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.  
5. The CCRC usually receives around 1,400 applications for reviews (convictions and/or sentences) each year. Since starting work in 1997, the CCRC has referred around 3% of applications to the appeal courts.  
6. The CCRC considers whether, as a result of new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that the conviction would not be upheld were a reference to be made. New evidence or argument is argument or evidence which has not been raised during the trial or on appeal.  Applicants should usually have appealed first. A case can be referred in the absence of new evidence or argument or an earlier appeal only if there are “exceptional circumstances”.  
7. If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe or the sentence unfair.  
8. More details about the role and work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission can be found at www.ccrc.gov.uk. The CCRC can be found on Twitter @ccrcupdate and Instagram the_ccrc