Chirag: “we’ll be back”

Definitely, definitely a shorter email this time.

Chirag Sidhpura’s attempt to force a judicial review of the Post Office Historical Shortfall Scheme failed at an application hearing today.

I have written a piece about it here.

It was my first attempt at live-tweeting a virtual High Court hearing. When it works, which it did 90% of the time, it’s great. You see the parties, you see the judge and you can report proceedings in your pyjamas if you want to (not that I would ever dare).

When it doesn’t work, it’s not so great – at times the sound made it tricky to hear what was going on and after we got back from lunch to hear the judgment, we were told the same Teams link we used to dial into the hearing in the morning would work in the afternoon. It didn’t.

Repeated and rather desperate emails to the Court Associate eventually delivered an alternative link which did work, but suddenly being shut out and unable to do anything about it was very worrying.

I’m pleased to say I had confirmation today I will be allowed to be physically in court for the Court of Appeal hearings beginning 22 March.

Here comes the weekend

Profound thanks to everyone who has joined the ranks of secret emailers this week, it’s good to have you here. Please spread the word if you find any of this content interesting or useful.

I am going to get my nose firmly back into the book over the next few days, but I will report anything that comes up as we roll towards the big court of appeal hearing on the 22nd.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Nick