Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted
Sir Gary Hickinbottom employed to manage Post Office Horizon compensation scheme disagreements.
Conclusion
As part of the scheme administration, the Department told us it has employed Sir Gary Hickinbottom, a former judge, to hold case management hearings and work through areas of disagreement between claimants and the Post Office or Department. Sir Gary Hickinbottom has been praised by the Business and Trade Committee for his support in case management.25
Government Response Summary
The government confirms Sir Gary Hickinbottom's continued role in case management within the new Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) and commits to publishing further guidance on his role and the Alternative Dispute Resolution process by the end of Summer 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 From 3 June 2025, claims within the Post Office-delivered Overturned Convictions (OC) scheme claims were transferred across to be administered under the Department-delivered Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme, and the OC scheme closed. The department confirms that the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme will apply the same principles as the previous OC scheme, ensuring no OC claimant is disadvantaged by the transfer to HCRS. 2.3 HCRS aims to identify delays and move cases forward, similar to the OC scheme, with case management processes and an independent panel. Case management involves resolving disputes with an independent party when bilateral agreement is not reached. Dentons (law firm) and Sir Gary Hickinbottom (retired Court of Appeal judge) will manage cases as needed. Sir Gary will cover both pecuniary and non-pecuniary aspects of claims. Before case management, the department will engage with claimants' legal representatives to resolve claims early. 2.4 In addition to the above which answers the Committee’s recommendation, there is a further recommendation from Sir Wyn Williams for a public announcement clarifying any differences in the financial redress process between HCRS and OC, we will publish further guidance on the roles of Dentons and Sir Gary Hickinbottom, as well as on the Alternative Dispute Resolution process, by the end of Summer 2025. The department is engaging with OC claimants' legal representatives, hoping Sir Wyn Williams' recent Inquiry report will encourage them to submit their claims for consideration by the department and the independent panel.