SRA reviewing conduct of solicitors involved in prosecutions of subpostmasters affected by the faulty Horizon IT system
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed it is continuing a wide-ranging investigation into solicitors and law firms connected to the Post Office Horizon scandal, one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British legal history.
Between 2000 and 2015, subpostmasters across the UK were removed from their branches, prosecuted or threatened with legal action after the Horizon accounting system reported financial discrepancies. The system was later found to be faulty. Hundreds of subpostmasters suffered serious consequences, including wrongful convictions, financial loss and significant personal hardship.
The SRA said its ongoing work represents the largest investigation it has ever undertaken. The regulator is currently examining more than 20 live investigations involving solicitors and law firms linked to the scandal, including those who acted for the Post Office and Royal Mail Group.
Jonathan Peddie, the SRA’s interim executive director of legal, described the scale of the case and its impact on those affected.
“This was one of the most severe miscarriages of justice in British history, with devastating impacts on the lives of hundreds of people,” he said.
“Our largest ever investigation, the range of issues are complex, but the fundamentals are simple. Solicitors must meet high professional standards. This includes acting independently, with integrity, and upholding the rule of law and proper administration of justice.”
Peddie added that where solicitors fail to meet those standards, regulatory action may follow.
“We will take action to protect the public and maintain trust in the profession. We are progressing our investigations as swiftly as possible. It is vital we follow due process and get this right,” he said.
According to the SRA, investigators are reviewing a range of issues linked to the handling of Horizon-related cases. These include the management and supervision of legal matters and the strategy and conduct of prosecutions and litigation, including group litigation in Bates v Post Office.
The regulator is also examining duties relating to expert witnesses, disclosure obligations and the potential misuse of legal privilege to prevent communications from being disclosed.
Other areas under scrutiny include the operation of the Post Office Complaint Review and Mediation Scheme. The SRA said it is considering matters such as alleged overcharging of claimants, the use of non-disclosure agreements and the way correspondence was labelled.
The scale of the investigation has required the review of a substantial amount of material. The SRA said it has already scrutinised tens of thousands of pages of documents and evidence gathered through its own investigative powers, court orders and witness testimony.
The regulator is also coordinating with other bodies examining the scandal, including the Bar Standards Board, the Metropolitan Police, the Post Office Horizon Inquiry and the Legal Services Board.
The timing of enforcement action will depend partly on the publication of the final report from the public inquiry into the scandal. The SRA said the inquiry’s findings are likely to be relevant to cases under investigation.
Where evidence shows that solicitors have breached regulatory standards, the SRA has powers to impose fines or practice restrictions. In more serious cases, it may refer matters to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, which can impose unlimited fines or remove solicitors from practice.