Post Office appoints Burges Salmon

Post Office has appointed Burges Salmon to advise it in relation to the ongoing Horizon IT Inquiry.

Following careful consideration that began last year, culminating in a decision by the Post Office Board in January 2023 that a new law firm should be appointed, a competitive tender exercise was carried out via the Crown Commercial Service’s framework.

Burges Salmon, working in an integrated team with Fieldfisher (collectively Burges Salmon / Fieldfisher) have significant expertise, having between them worked on most major public inquiries over the past 20 years.

Post Office and its current legal representatives for the Inquiry, Herbert Smith Freehills, are working to ensure a smooth transition, with Burges Salmon / Fieldfisher beginning preparatory work for later phases of the Inquiry.

The Post Office is committed to providing full assistance to the Inquiry and the Post Office Board decision was taken in consideration of costs, given the Inquiry is now due to run significantly longer than anticipated. It also addresses any future potential risk of Herbert Smith Freehills being unable to assist on aspects of Phase 5 relating to matters in which it has been involved.

Herbert Smith Freehills will continue to assist on other matters including the administration of the Historical Shortfall Scheme.

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