MARGARET WHITE & Anor. v POST OFFICE LIMITED

MARGARET WHITE & Anor. v POST OFFICE LIMITED

Margaret White's convictions were unsafe because her prosecution depended entirely on Horizon data, which was unreliable and not independently corroborated; her case was a Horizon case, justifying extension of time, leave to appeal, and quashing of convictions. David Cameron's case was not a Horizon case as there was independent evidence from complainants and audit, and Horizon data was not essential to the prosecution; his applications for extension of time and leave to appeal were refused.

Parties
Applicant: Margaret White; Applicant: David Cameron; Respondent: Post Office Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
31 March 2022
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Applications for Extension of Time, Leave to Appeal, and Substantive Appeal
Outcome
Margaret White: Appeal allowed, convictions quashed. David Cameron: Applications refused.
Legal Topics
Abuse of Process, Extension of Time, Unsafe Conviction, Disclosure, Reliability of Evidence, Horizon System
Criminal Law Abuse of Process Extension of Time Unsafe Conviction Disclosure Reliability of Evidence Horizon System

Case Brief

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Parties

Margaret White

Applicant

David Cameron

Applicant

Post Office Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Applications for Extension of Time, Leave to Appeal, and Substantive Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the convictions of Margaret White and David Cameron are unsafe due to reliance on Horizon system data
  2. 2 Whether the applications for extension of time to appeal should be granted
  3. 3 Whether the cases qualify as 'Horizon cases' where the reliability of Horizon data was essential to the prosecution

Ratio Decidendi

Margaret White's convictions were unsafe because her prosecution depended entirely on Horizon data, which was unreliable and not independently corroborated; her case was a Horizon case, justifying extension of time, leave to appeal, and quashing of convictions. David Cameron's case was not a Horizon case as there was independent evidence from complainants and audit, and Horizon data was not essential to the prosecution; his applications for extension of time and leave to appeal were refused.

Court Disposition

Margaret White: Appeal allowed, convictions quashed. David Cameron: Applications refused.

Orders

  • Margaret White: Extension of time granted, leave to appeal granted, appeal allowed, convictions quashed.
  • David Cameron: Extension of time refused, leave to appeal refused.