No precedent: why Commons approach to Post Office scandal has lawyers nervous

Legislation exonerating victims may be only way to achieve justice but it breaches fundamental principle

It was unprecedented, the minister conceded, but the legal profession was quick to insist that Wednesday afternoon’s developments should not be mistaken for the setting of a precedent.

Addressing the House of Commons over the Post Office scandal that has erupted this week, the minister for postal affairs Kevin Hollinrake announced that the government would be driving a horse and cart through the constitutional separation of powers of the judiciary, executive and legislature.