Horizon Shortfall Scheme: issues under review
Updated 20 May 2026
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Sir Gary Hickinbottom is the independent Senior Lawyer (ISL) for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
He will be reviewing issues affecting the HSS. This guidance explains the issues he is currently reviewing.
Cases with no evidence of a shortfall
The ISL has reviewed the approach taken by the Post Office and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in handling cases where there is no evidence of a shortfall. The full report has now been published.
Delays with HSS cases
The ISL is reviewing a complaint from a claimant representative, sent to the Post Office, regarding delays experienced on 2 HSS cases. The Post Office forwarded this letter on to Sir Gary Hickinbottom, who is considering the issue. He has invited DBT to provide observations on the cases. Sir Gary will produce written decisions and/or recommendations in due course.
Future issues
Additional issues will be added to this page once they are picked up by the ISL for review.