Victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal are on the cusp of a new chapter in their fight for justice, as a sweeping restorative justice programme is set to offer face-to-face meetings with representatives from both the Post Office and Fujitsu—the company whose faulty software triggered one of the UK’s most notorious miscarriages of justice. This initiative, announced on October 31, 2025, is the result of months of consultations and listening sessions, and marks a significant step beyond the financial compensation schemes that have, until now, dominated the official response to the scandal.
The Horizon IT scandal, as reported by BBC, saw more than 900 sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted for embezzlement and fraud due to errors in the Horizon computer system. The impact was devastating: innocent people lost their livelihoods, reputations, and, in some cases, their liberty. Now, after years of campaigning and public inquiry, the focus is shifting toward healing and accountability through restorative justice.
According to the Restorative Justice Council (RJC), which published a major report on October 31, 2025, the first phase of the Horizon Project will run as a pilot from November 2025 through March 2026. During this period, sub-postmasters and their families will be able to participate in a range of initiatives designed to foster dialogue, understanding, and, ultimately, some measure of closure. The full national programme is slated for launch in spring 2026.
At the heart of this approach are voluntary face-to-face meetings between victims and those representing the organisations responsible for the scandal. For the first time, Fujitsu executives will join Post Office leaders and, potentially, officials from the Department for Business and Trade in these encounters. While participation by former executives—such as Paula Vennells and Nick Read—is not mandatory, victims can request to speak directly with those they hold responsible.
Jim Simon, chief executive of the Restorative Justice Council, explained the process this way: “It’s not just about addressing past harms, but also about creating a safe and compassionate space for individuals to share their stories and begin their healing journeys.” The RJC’s report draws on the experiences of 145 people who attended listening sessions held across the UK and online, ensuring the programme is shaped by those most affected.
The restorative justice scheme is funded jointly by the government, the state-owned Post Office, and Fujitsu. This financial backing is crucial, as the programme is designed to be more than symbolic. It includes practical support measures: a restorative listening and wellbeing service staffed by trained practitioners, group-based circles for collective healing, and a peer-led support network piloted in Northern Ireland. The wellbeing service, notably, is fully funded by Fujitsu, whose role in the scandal has been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism.
Paul Patterson, Fujitsu’s chief executive for Europe, offered a public apology, stating, “We deeply regret Fujitsu’s role in sub-postmasters’ suffering and recognise the profound impact it has had on them and their families.” In a rare show of unity, the Department for Business and Trade, Fujitsu, and the Post Office issued a joint statement, declaring: “We are appalled by the failures that led to this most widespread miscarriage of justice. However, we also recognise that a general apology such as this one is nowhere near sufficient.” The statement continues, pledging to work with the RJC to “lay a firm foundation for direct and personal apologies where we can” and to support a “wider and longer-term programme of restorative justice.”
Sub-postmasters themselves have been clear about what they want from the process. According to the RJC’s report, their priorities include public acknowledgement and memorialisation of their suffering, personalised apologies (public or private), mental health support, family counselling, and opportunities for communal healing. There is also a strong desire for practical actions—such as leisure and therapeutic activities—and for those responsible to be held to account.
One creative initiative that emerged from consultations is the idea of a special commemorative postage stamp, suggested by sub-postmasters themselves. This stamp could help raise funds for the Lost Chances group—which campaigns on behalf of the adult children of victims—and for educational projects aimed at raising awareness of the scandal’s legacy.
Despite the progress, frustration remains over the pace of redress. The Department for Business and Trade and the Post Office have paid out over £1.2 billion in compensation as of late 2025—a five-fold increase since July 2024—but many victims feel that justice has been slow in coming. The RJC’s report notes this dissatisfaction and calls for continued efforts to ensure redress is “full, fair and prompt.”
Accountability is another key concern. The second volume of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s report, due in 2026, is expected to address the issue of holding individuals to account. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have assigned over 100 officers to Operation Olympos, their investigation into the scandal, and regulatory bodies are conducting parallel inquiries into the conduct of lawyers and auditors involved.
Neil Brocklehurst, the current chief executive of the Post Office, acknowledged the need for a victim-led approach: “We must now act—together with the Department for Business and Trade and Fujitsu—to establish a lasting and meaningful restorative justice programme which is directly informed by the wishes of those who were harmed.”
To ensure the programme’s success, staff at all three organisations will receive training in restorative justice principles, fostering a shared commitment to accountability and healing. The governance structure for the long-term programme, to be announced in spring 2026, is expected to include direct representation from postmasters themselves, guaranteeing their voices remain central.
As the pilot phase unfolds, the RJC will continue to engage with more victims—including the children of those affected and postmasters from historically marginalised groups—to ensure that the process is as inclusive as possible. The Postal Museum, an official partner for the Inquiry’s Legacy Project, will also be consulted to help memorialise the scandal and its lessons for future generations.
For many sub-postmasters, the journey toward justice has been long and harrowing. This restorative justice initiative, with its focus on listening, accountability, and healing, represents a new opportunity—not just to repair the harm done, but to ensure that such an injustice is never repeated.
