Shaping Restorative Justice with Those Affected by the Horizon Scandal

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) has been commissioned to lead this work due to our extensive expertise in restorative justice principles and practices. As an independent national charity, we are dedicated to promoting, supporting, and developing restorative justice across various sectors. Our unique knowledge and experience enable us to effectively facilitate processes that encourage healing and resolution for all parties involved.

We want to clarify that the RJC operates independently and is not part of the Post Office, Fujitsu, or the Department for Business and Trade.

A restorative justice programme is an initiative designed to promote healing and accountability for those affected by harm. In the context of the Horizon Scandal, Sir Wyn Williams recommended in the first volume of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry Report that the Post Office, Fujitsu, and the Department for Business and Trade establish such a programme. This recommendation emphasises the importance of providing a variety of restorative opportunities to address the needs of individuals impacted by the scandal.

The programme may include direct restorative justice, which involves working with a trained restorative practitioner to prepare for a face-to-face meeting with representatives of the organisations that have caused harm. It could also encompass indirect restorative justice, where you might work with a practitioner to write a letter expressing your questions or concerns, or have the practitioner facilitate conversations on your behalf.

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is committed to ensuring that the offerings meet your specific needs, which is why we are eager to gather your input in designing the programme. Your perspective is invaluable in creating a restorative process that truly serves those affected.

The Listening and Learning Circles serve a critical purpose in fostering open dialogue and understanding among those affected by the Horizon scandal. They are designed to gather valuable feedback and experiences from participants to better inform the development of the restorative justice programme.

No, you will not need to speak to representatives from the Post Office, Fujitsu, or the Department for Business and Trade during the Listening and Learning Circles. We have specifically requested that representatives from these organisations are not present at these sessions to create a safe and open environment for all participants. Your privacy and comfort are our top priorities, and we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences freely in these discussions.

No, participating in the Listening and Learning Circles will not affect your compensation claim in any way. This process is entirely separate from the ongoing compensation schemes, and your participation will not impact your entitlement or the progress of your claim. We encourage you to engage in these discussions without any concerns regarding your compensation status.

The Listening and Learning Circles will be held on the following dates and in four specific locations.

23rd September 2025 in Belfast

25th September 2025 in Glasgow

30th September 2025 in Wales

2nd October 2025 in London

We anticipate a maximum of 60 attendees at each session, although the number may vary slightly. We have carefully selected venues that offer a spacious and comfortable environment to accommodate the maximum number of participants, ensuring that everyone can engage fully in the discussions.

We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all participants. On the registration form, you will have the opportunity to outline any support requirements, such as neurodiversity, learning needs, disability, religious needs, or language barriers. Please inform us of any specific accommodations that would enhance your experience."

Each Listening and Learning Circle is scheduled to last up to three hours, providing ample time for you to be heard. The sessions will start at 3 p.m. and aim to conclude by 6 p.m. At the end of the meeting, there will also be an opportunity for you to speak with the RJC team, allowing you to address any additional thoughts or questions you may have. We want to ensure that you have a meaningful and supportive experience during the session.

Yes, you can bring a supporter with you to the Listening and Learning Circles! This could be a family member or a friend, and they are more than welcome to join in our discussions. We can also assist with the costs associated with their attendance.

If you would like your legal representative to accompany you, please let us know in advance, as we have specific arrangements in place to support their attendance.

Yes, you can access financial support to help with your participation! We have funding available to cover travel and accommodation costs for you and a supporter. To learn more about the specific support we can provide, please feel free to email us at Horizon@restorativejustice.org.uk.

We’re here to help ensure that you can attend the Listening and Learning Circles.

After you register for your chosen Listening and Learning Circle, a member of the Restorative Justice Council (RJC) team will reach out to you via email with additional information about the circle. This communication will ensure you are informed about how to claim reimbursement for travel and accommodation and will also confirm any specific access needs you may have.

Additionally, we will invite you to attend an online preparation session with the trained practitioners who will be leading your Listening and Learning Circle. These preparation sessions will be offered at various times prior to your meeting and are designed to provide you with all the necessary information about how the circles will be facilitated. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

We strongly encourage you to attend one of these sessions to ensure you are fully prepared for the circle.

If you do not have online access, please let us know, and we will arrange alternative ways to ensure you are fully supported and prepared to participate in the Listening and Learning Circles. We are committed to making sure that everyone can engage effectively, regardless of their digital capabilities.

Please reach out to us, and we will work together to find a suitable solution that meets your needs.

Confidentiality is of paramount importance to us. Your information will be stored securely in compliance with GDPR regulations, ensuring that your privacy is protected throughout the entire process. No external organisations will have access to this information. During the Listening and Learning Circles, we will document the themes and key points of the discussions; however, it is important to emphasise that we will not record who said what. We have established processes in place to ensure that individual identities remain unidentifiable.

Your trust and privacy are our top priorities, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and confidential environment for all participants.

The information collected through the Listening and Learning Circles and online feedback forms will be instrumental in informing the design of the restorative justice programme. We will focus solely on the themes and key points raised during the discussions, ensuring that individual names are never referenced.

The insights gathered will be compiled into a report that we will provide to the Post Office, Fujitsu, and the Department for Business and Trade, along with a rationale for our proposed restorative justice programme. Importantly, this report will not include any identifiable information or details about who attended the Listening and Learning Circles.

Our commitment to confidentiality ensures that your input is used responsibly and respectfully while contributing to the development of a meaningful restorative justice initiative.

Your participation in the Listening and Learning Circles is completely voluntary, and you are free to change your mind at any point. If you decide not to attend, we kindly ask that you inform us as soon as possible so we can offer your allocated place to someone else.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, as this helps us ensure that all interested participants can engage in the circles.