Court rule that fuelled Post Office's prosecution rampage
5 hours ago
- #Post Office Scandal
- #Legal Reform
- #Computer Evidence
- In 1999, a legal rule change on computer evidence made it easier for the Post Office to prosecute subpostmasters based on faulty Horizon system data.
- The Post Office supported the 1999 law change, arguing that computer evidence should be admissible without proving system integrity.
- Post Office prosecutions surged by 766% after Horizon's introduction, with many convictions later overturned due to system errors.
- The High Court and public outcry, especially after ITV's 2024 drama, pressured the government to review private prosecutions and computer evidence rules.
- Experts and victims call for flexible, updated rules on computer evidence to prevent future miscarriages of justice.