Solicitors Charged in Post Office Scandal Amid Ongoing SRA Investigations
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has referred two legal professionals to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over alleged misconduct linked to the Horizon IT scandal, according to a statement released on 25 June 2026. Jane MacLeod, former Post Office general counsel from 2015 to 2019, and Nick Gould, a partner at Aria Grace Law, face charges related to their roles in the prosecution of subpostmasters wrongly convicted due to faulty software.
SRA Refers Two Solicitors to Disciplinary Tribunal
Jonathan Peddie, executive director of investigations at the SRA, confirmed the referral, stating the cases involve conduct following the main events of the Post Office scandal. MacLeod was questioned during the Horizon IT public inquiry in 2024 about internal document disclosures and legal advice, while Gould represented subpostmistress Seema Misra in overturning her 2021 conviction. The SRA emphasized its ongoing investigations into solicitors’ “lack of integrity” and “management and supervision of the case.”
“We can and will act if we find that solicitors we regulate fail to meet our standards,” Peddie said. The SRA’s actions come as part of 20 live investigations into law firms representing the Post Office during the scandal, though specific names were undisclosed until now.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Battles
The Horizon IT scandal, which led to over 900 subpostmasters being wrongly prosecuted for theft and fraud between 1999 and 2009, stemmed from faulty software developed by Fujitsu. A final inquiry report by Sir Wyn Williams, which concluded in December 2024, is expected to be published this year. The Post Office has been represented by firms including Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), Womble Bond Dickinson, Burges Salmon, and Fieldfisher.
Following MPs’ calls for transparency, it was revealed in 2025 that City law firms had earned millions in fees while victims awaited compensation. The SRA’s investigations focus on solicitors’ conduct during litigation and the wrongful prosecutions, with allegations of “serious misconduct” across multiple areas.
What Happens Next for the Solicitors Involved?
MacLeod, who left her role at the Post Office in 2019, and Gould, now a legal consultant at Impact Lawyers, will face proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The outcome could set a precedent for how legal professionals are held accountable in systemic corporate failures. The SRA has stated it will “act decisively” if breaches of professional standards are confirmed.
The Post Office has not yet commented on the charges, but the scandal continues to draw scrutiny. A 2024 report by the Horizon IT Inquiry highlighted “systemic failures” in the Post Office’s handling of the software crisis, with victims still seeking justice and compensation.
Why This Matters for Legal Accountability
The charges against MacLeod and Gould underscore the growing pressure on legal institutions to address historical wrongs. Similar cases, such as the 2022 inquiry into the UK’s handling of the 2008 financial crisis, have emphasized the need for transparency in corporate and legal practices. The SRA’s involvement signals a shift toward stricter oversight of solicitors involved in large-scale public disputes.
For subpostmasters still awaiting redress, the developments may offer a pathway to further accountability. Campaigners have long argued that legal firms and regulators share responsibility for the prolonged suffering of those affected by the Horizon IT scandal.