Horizon Shortfall Scheme
Did you accept £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.
Accepted £75,000? You may be entitled to more
The Government has announced that the Permission to Appeal process is due to launch on 2 November 2026. This Scheme is for anyone who accepted the fixed-sum offer but feels it didn't reflect their true financial, professional or personal losses. Register your interest now to stay up to date.
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 ask for their case to be reconsidered. You will need to satisfy an initial threshold test before your case can move into the full Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals (HSS Appeals) 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 now.
We will work with you to prepare your case, making sure it is clearly evidenced and persuasively presented, so you have the best possible chance of meeting the threshold test as soon as the process opens.
Who should consider registering?
You may be eligible to seek permission to appeal if:
You previously accepted and received the £75,000 fixed sum offer under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, either in full or as a top-up to a previous HSS 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
Register your interest
What does a Horizon Shortfall Scheme appeal involve?
The Government has acknowledged that some settlements reached through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme may have been undervalued. Individuals who accepted the £75,000 award can seek permission to appeal their settlement once the new FSO Permission to Appeal scheme opens. The Government has now announced that process is due to launch on 2 November 2026.
When you register, we will work with you to prepare a short written narrative explaining why your settlement may have under-valued your claim and that you meet the threshold for an appeal. We will help you identify the type of loss you suffered - financial, professional or personal - and present your narrative clearly, so it gives you the best chance of satisfying the threshold test.
There is no requirement to provide detailed evidence at this stage. If permission is granted, your case transfers into the full HSS Appeals process for detailed reassessment.
Importantly, there is no risk to the £75,000 you have already received. The process operates on a "best total offer" basis, meaning that even if your case proceeds to a full HSS Appeals assessment and the outcome would otherwise be lower, you keep the £75,000 already paid.
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, and we will advise you honestly and sensitively about the next steps.
FAQs
This is a new process that lets postmasters who accepted the £75,000 Horizon Shortfall Scheme fixed sum offer ask an independent assessor to look again at whether that settlement undervalued their claim. If you pass the initial threshold test, your case moves into the full Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals process for detailed reassessment. The Government has now announced that process is due to launch on 2 November 2026.
You're likely to be eligible if you accepted and received the £75,000 fixed sum offer - either in full or as a top-up to a previous offer - and you believe your losses were worth more than that. You're unlikely to be eligible if you previously entered HSS Appeals and then withdrew, if you received a fully assessed offer after 9 September 2024 or after 20 May and chose to revert to the fixed sum offer instead, or if you received a nil offer.
Not sure where you stand? We're happy to check your position with you, free of charge.
Some people who previously accepted the £75,000 fixed sum offer may receive correspondence directly from Post Office about the FSO Permission to Appeal process. If this applies to you, please get in touch with us so we can discuss your options and help you prepare for a possible appeal.
Once the appeals process launches, you'll have four months to register and complete identity and eligibility checks. The timer runs from the launch date of this scheme or the date you accepted the fixed sum offer, whichever is later.
You'll then have a further three months from confirmation of your eligibility to submit your written narrative for the threshold test.
These windows are fixed, so register your interest with us now. We can start preparing with you as soon as the scheme opens, giving your application the best possible chance of meeting these deadlines.
Just a short narrative document, which we will help prepare and submit on your behalf. This will explain the types of losses you suffered and why you believe your claim was worth more than £75,000. You don't need to provide additional evidence or expert reports to support your application, although the appeals assessor may come back to you for clarification if anything in your narrative isn't clear.
We'll work with you directly to prepare your written narrative, helping you identify every type of loss that applies to you, pulling together the key supporting detail, and making sure it's clear and persuasive. Since you don't need detailed evidence at this stage, how the narrative is put together really matters, and our role is to give your application the best possible chance of meeting the threshold test.
No. The scheme works on a "best total offer" basis. Whatever the outcome of your appeal you will keep the £75,000 you've already received.
No. The Government funds reasonable legal fees for advice on your application, so there's no cost to you for our help at this stage. Nothing is deducted from any compensation you go on to receive.
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.
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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