Further to the Commission’s news release of December 2024, the Commission is attempting to contact the people identified as potentially affected by Capture. The attached information sheet provides potential applicants with further information about the Commission’s services and how to apply.
The Commission encourages anyone who believes that their criminal conviction, or that of a relative, might have been affected by the Capture system to contact it.
Who are you?
We’re a public body. Under Scots law, we’re responsible for reviewing possible miscarriages of justice. We’re independent of all other actors in the criminal justice system. We provide a free service to anyone convicted in Scotland who thinks that they may have been the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
If we believe that there may have been a miscarriage of justice and that it is in the interests of justice to do so, we can refer criminal cases to court for an appeal.
Where did you get my details, and why are you contacting me?
We are currently investigating possible miscarriages of justice relating to problems with various computer systems used in Post Office branches in the 1990s (Capture, ECCO and ECCO Plus). We think that it is possible that your case is one of those. If it is, we would like to make sure that you have the chance to apply to us.
What do you mean by problems with these computer systems?
As you may have seen or read in the news, there were serious problems with the Post Office’s Horizon computer system. This led to many convictions being overturned throughout the United Kingdom. The Post Office rolled out Horizon widely in 2000. Before that, some branches used a variety of different systems. Groups of subpostmasters have since argued that these systems had flaws similar to those found in Horizon. A report that the UK Government commissioned into the Capture system concluded that there was a “reasonable likelihood” that Capture created shortfalls in branch accounts.
I think that my case may have been affected by one of these systems. What should I do?
We would suggest that you give us a call on 0141 270 7030. Daniel Fenn and Alison McNab, two of our legal officers, are dealing with this issue at the moment. Daniel and Alison would be pleased to discuss the matter with you. If they aren’t available, our administrators will be able to schedule a call back for you. They can have an application pack sent out to you if you need one.
If you prefer to communicate by email, please contact us on info@sccrc.org.uk. We can arrange a secure means of email communication.
Who are you working for? Will you be my lawyer?
No, we won’t be your legal representatives. We conduct the review of the case. Although all our investigative staff are legally qualified, they work only for the Board of the Commission. If you want a lawyer, you’ll need to choose one yourself.
Do I need a solicitor to apply?
No, you don’t. Our process is available to those with and those without a solicitor. You don’t need to be able to tell us anything at all about the law. All we’ll ask you to do is tell us about what happened in your case.
I pled guilty. Is that a problem?
If you pled guilty in the knowledge that you were not, in fact, guilty, we’d like you to contact us. It is possible to argue that there was a miscarriage of justice even where the accused has pled guilty.
I haven’t appealed my conviction. Is that a problem?
No, that’s unlikely to be a problem in these cases.
I know someone else who may have been affected by this issue, but you haven’t sent them a letter. Is that right?
We have tried our best to identify people who may have been affected, but a lot of information about criminal convictions and investigations in the 1990s has since been destroyed. We don’t have a complete picture of what happened during that period. If you know someone else who may have been affected, please pass this information on to them or ask them to contact us. If the person was convicted in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, they need to speak to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Birmingham on 0121 233 1473. The appropriate person to contact there is Miles Trent, Case Review Manager.
I’ve received your letter, but it’s addressed to a relative who has passed away.
We’re sorry for your loss. It is possible for those with a close personal relationship with the accused to challenge a conviction after death. If that’s something that you think you might like to do, you’re welcome to discuss it with us. If not, there’s no need to take any action.
My case didn’t have anything to do with a computer system. What should I do?
We’ve contacted everyone whose details we have who we think may possibly be part of the group affected by these systems. We know that there will be some cases not affected by them at all. If that’s you, we’re sorry to have bothered you. You don’t need to take any action.
If you’re not sure whether your case was affected by this issue though, please don’t assume that it wasn’t. If you were wrongly accused of theft or fraud or similar offences in relation to work you did at a post office, we’d like to hear from you.
This is all in the past. I don’t want anything to do with it.
That’s entirely your decision. We won’t look at your case unless you want us to do so. If you decide not to respond to this letter, you won’t hear from us again.
Bear in mind that we don’t charge anything at any stage in our process. It’s completely free for all applicants.
