Top 50 UK law firm Freeths has successfully led efforts to obtain interim compensation for sub-postmasters whose confidential data was exposed by the Post Office. The breach occurred when the Post Office mistakenly published an unredacted version of a settlement document online, revealing sensitive personal details of the 555 original Horizon scandal claimants.
Despite the document being removed only after national media coverage in June 2024, Freeths’ specialist data protection team acted swiftly, issuing a formal letter of claim. Their actions were backed by other claimant solicitors aligning with their stance. While full negotiations are ongoing, Post Office representatives have agreed that the majority of impacted individuals will receive a significant interim payment.
The team at Freeths has not only been working on behalf of their own sub-postmaster clients but also sharing their considerable expertise in this niche area with the other firms representing sub-postmasters whose details were breached, to ensure the strongest and most effective approach for the benefit of all those affected. Freeths lawyers have secured an admission of the breach by the Post Office and, recognising the impact this has had on all the individuals affected, agreement from the Post Office to make these interim compensation payments without requiring claims to be issued, but also without limiting the scope for further claims to be pursued.
These interim payments have now been made and distributed to the majority of the affected sub-postmasters, whilst Freeths specialist data breach disputes team continues to use its expertise to lead the fight for a final compensation figure for all of those affected.
Leading on the data breach claim on behalf of the postmasters, Will Richmond-Coggan, Freeths’ Partner and National Head of Data Breach Litigation, said: “We welcome the progress we have made with this case but there is still a long way to go to recognise the devastating impact of this breach for those affected. My team will continue to use our considerable expertise in matters like these to secure a final resolution to this situation which reflects the severity of the impact on our clients.”
Freeths acted for its 555 sub-postmaster clients in connection with the landmark High Court victory against the Post Office, which exposed Britain’s largest miscarriage of justice, leading to the quashing of hundreds of criminal convictions and the establishment of the ongoing public inquiry.
Alongside the data breach claim, the firm continues to fight for justice in its ongoing work representing sub-postmasters within the GLO ex gratia compensation scheme and individuals who were wrongfully convicted and eligible for the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (“HCRS”).
Most recently, Freeths announced that it is now advising victims in the HSS Appeals Scheme. This scheme is being established to address concerns with the original HSS scheme, administered by Post Office Limited. HSS Appeals is open to postmasters who were not convicted, or part of legal action against the Post Office, but who still suffered considerably due to Horizon failures because they reached a settlement with Post Office Limited without the benefit of legal advice. With Freeths dealing with these claims, postmasters can now have their settlements independently reviewed by the Department for Business and Trade, ensuring that they receive fair compensation.