The first compensation scheme for victims of the Post Office Capture scandal has been launched.
Capture, which was a precursor to the infamous Horizon system, led to a number of sub-postmasters being accused of “accounting malpractice,” with some having their contracts terminated.
Some resigned, while others were prosecuted or had to pay money back.
Earlier this year, in a move to "right the wrongs of the past," the government announced the new redress scheme for those affected by the faults of Capture between 1992 and 2000.
Eligible postmasters will receive immediate preliminary payments of £10,000, with an independent panel then assessing final awards through a banding model ranging from £10,000 to £300,000.
In exceptional cases, awards may exceed the upper limit.
The scheme launches with an initial phase for 150 claimants to ensure the process is fair and accessible before wider implementation.
t comes after the government accepted findings from an independent investigation by Kroll Associates, which concluded there was a reasonable likelihood that Capture created financial shortfalls for postmasters.
At least 40 former sub-postmasters claimed they were wrongly accused of theft due to errors in the Capture system, ITV News reported last year.
Separately, as of the end of September, the Horizon redress schemes have paid out over £1.2 billion to more than 9,000 victims.
Who can apply to the Capture compensation scheme?
Postmasters are eligible to apply if they:
- Were a postmaster between 1992 and 2000
- Used the Capture system in their branch
- Suffered a financial shortfall as a result of a Capture software error