Bar Standards Board reveals 10 open investigations into barristers involved in the Post Office Horizon wrongful convictions
The Bar Standards Board has disclosed that it is currently overseeing 10 open investigations connected to the Post Office Horizon scandal, as scrutiny of legal professionals linked to the scandal continues.
In an update on its work, the regulator said it had received a significant number of reports relating to the conduct of barristers who acted in prosecutions brought by the Post Office Limited.
The BSB said it had assessed a large volume of material and was now progressing a number of cases through its enforcement process, with some investigations ongoing and others at earlier stages of review.
A spokesperson for the Bar Standards Board said: “We recognise the impact the Horizon scandal has had on the lives of sub-postmasters and mistresses, their families, and communities. We also acknowledge its effect on public confidence in the Bar. We will take enforcement action where barristers have failed in their professional duties in the Post Office cases.”
The spokesperson continued: “We are progressing investigations and currently have ten open investigations which we expect will progress to the Independent Decision-Making Body (IDB) this year. In addition, we are finalising the consideration of the 111 criminal conviction cases that were overturned by the Court of Appeal to ensure that all proportionate areas of investigation have been identified and assessed.”
The BSB added: “We have been working closely with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and the Legal Services Board (LSB) are regularly updated on the progress of cases.”
The Horizon scandal, which led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters, has prompted widespread examination of the role of lawyers involved in the cases, including both solicitors and barristers. The SRA, which has 20 live investigations into solicitors and firms connected to the scandal, continues its own efforts to ensure accountability and maintain public trust.
The BSB said its work forms part of a broader effort to ensure accountability and maintain public confidence in the profession, particularly in light of the scale and seriousness of the issues raised.