Horizon Shortfall Scheme
Accepted £75,000 under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme? You may be entitled to more. If your settlement didn’t reflect the true financial, professional or personal impact you suffered, now is the time to have it reassessed.
Accepted £75,000?
You may be entitled to more
If you previously accepted the £75,000 fixed sum offer from Post Office Limited under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, you may still be entitled to additional compensation that more accurately reflects your true losses.
The Government has confirmed that individuals who settled their claims for £75,000, but may have under‑settled, can now ask for their cases to be reconsidered through the appeal process.
If you believe the compensation you received did not reflect the full financial, professional or personal impact of the Horizon scandal on you or your family, we encourage you to get in touch.
Who should consider registering?
You may be eligible to seek permission to appeal if:
- You previously accepted the £75,000 fixed sum offer
- You now believe your total losses may exceed £75,000 (including interest)
- You suffered significant financial loss, loss of earnings, loss of business, or personal injury
- You accepted the offer quickly, or without the benefit of full information or independent legal advice
Even if you are unsure whether you qualify, an initial conversation can help clarify whether it is worth exploring the appeal route.
Get in touch
Please get in touch for free and confidential HSS Appeals advice. Freephone: 0800 048 5205
No cost to you
There is no cost to applicants for advice and assistance at this stage.
Freeths is paid by the Government for work carried out in connection with Horizon compensation schemes. This means:
- You do not pay legal fees
- There is no deduction from any compensation you receive
- There is no financial risk in contacting us to explore your position
Why choose us?
Freeths has extensive experience advising postmasters and former postmasters across all Horizon‑related compensation schemes, including:
- The GLO Scheme
- The Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme
- Horizon Shortfall Scheme appeals
Our team understands:
- The common ways in which claims were under‑settled
- The types of losses frequently not fully accounted for at the £75,000 stage
- How Government‑run Horizon schemes operate in practice
We take time to understand your individual circumstances and explain your options clearly, honestly and sensitively, so you can make an informed decision about next steps.
Why the Horizon Shortfall Scheme settlement often fell short
For many postmasters, the £75,000 fixed sum offer under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme was accepted during a period of extreme pressure, stress and financial uncertainty. In some cases, individuals felt they had little choice but to settle quickly in order to access funds, without fully understanding how losses should be assessed under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
As a result, many Horizon Shortfall Scheme settlements did not capture the full extent of losses suffered. This can include long term loss of business income, personal funds used to cover shortfalls, historic interest, or the wider impact on family life and health. These elements were frequently underestimated or omitted entirely within the original Horizon Shortfall Scheme fixed sum process.
What does a Horizon Shortfall Scheme appeal involve?
The Government has now acknowledged that some settlements reached through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme may have been under valued. Individuals who accepted the £75,000 award can seek permission to appeal their Horizon Shortfall Scheme settlement.
This process allows postmasters to request a reassessment where the Horizon Shortfall Scheme compensation did not fully reflect the losses experienced. A Horizon Shortfall Scheme appeal is not about reopening matters unnecessarily, but about correcting settlements that did not fairly represent an individual’s circumstances. Each Horizon Shortfall Scheme appeal is considered on its own facts, early specialist advice can be critical in understanding whether this route is right for you.
More about us
We have unparalleled expertise and a proven track record. We led the landmark High Court victory for 555 sub-postmasters, exposing Britain's largest miscarriage of justice which led to the quashing of hundreds of criminal convictions. Our legal team has been involved in the Post Office Horizon scandal for almost a decade, providing unmatched depth of knowledge and experience.
We are the only firm that has initiated court proceedings against Post Office Limited on behalf of hundreds of sub-postmasters and represented both current and former sub-postmasters in their compensation claims.
Endorsed by Sir Alan Bates
"I urge and recommend that you contact Freeths to check your eligibility and pursue your claims"
Proven Success
We led the landmark High Court victory for 555 sub-postmasters, exposing Britain's largest miscarriage of justice
Unparalleled Expertise
Our legal team has been involved in the Post Office Horizon scandal for almost a decade, providing unmatched depth of knowledge
Government Trust
We were appointed by the Government to consult on the design and implementation of the GLO scheme
Sir Alan Bates, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to secure justice, said:
“It has taken a long time to get to this point, but now is the opportunity for all eligible people to come forward, clear your names and seek financial redress. So, I urge and recommend that you contact Freeths to check your eligibility and pursue your claims.
Freeths, through its work on the GLO and the GLO Compensation Scheme, has a deep understanding of the issues affecting sub-postmasters and those who have worked in Post Office branches, and will offer the support needed to guide you through the process.”
Sir Alan Bates
Sir Alan Bates on why to choose Freeths?
Inspiring fight for justice
From despair to triumph
Balvinder took over a post office in 2003 and he faced immediate challenges including false accusations of theft. His mental health deteriorated, leading to multiple hospitalisations. Discovering issues with the Horizon IT system in 2013, he sought help from Sir Alan Bates. Despite initial legal victories, Balvinder continued to struggle until we provided crucial legal and emotional support, eventually securing a satisfactory postmaster compensation settlement. Now he feels relieved and encourages others affected by the Horizon scandal to seek justice and support.
From Post Office pride to legal battle
Susan Knight’s story details her 32-year career with the Post Office, which took a turn when discrepancies arose in 2006, leading to a significant debt and eventual suspension in 2012. Despite being advised against legal representation, she faced court charges that were later dropped. The ordeal severely impacted her mental health, culminating in a stroke. With the support of the Justice for Sub-Postmasters Alliance and Freeths, she found legal assistance and eventually saw her case dismissed. Susan now encourages others affected by the Post Office scandal Post Office Horizon scandal to seek compensation and support from Freeths.
From business success to fighting for justice
Dionne Henderson, a business-minded individual from South Shields, faced severe financial and emotional distress after her Post Office branches experienced unexplained shortfalls due to the defective Horizon IT system. Despite being wrongfully accused and humiliated, she fought tirelessly for justice, contributing to reports and group litigation that eventually proved the system’s flaws. The successful litigation led to a Post Office compensation scheme, providing her with some closure and encouraging others affected to seek justice.
From breaking point to justice over Horizon
Liz Stockdale’s story details her struggles with the Post Office after taking over a branch in 2014, facing unaccounted losses and lack of support, leading to severe personal and financial distress. She eventually sought help from Freeths which supported her through court proceedings and helped her avoid wrongful conviction. Her story highlights the impact of the Horizon scandal on postmasters and the ongoing efforts to secure compensation for victims, urging those affected to seek assistance from Freeths.
Postmaster testimonials
“As much as they gave me legal support, they gave me such incredible personal support and they kept me moving forward. The connection I have with m...
Balvinder Gill
"I feel in my heart of hearts, if I had not had Freeths to help me through all of this, I would have probably been convicted of something I didn't...
Liz Stockdale
"When Freeths put my claim together as part of that scheme, I finally got some closure, and I can’t fault them. Everyone has a complicated case but...
Dionne Henderson
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