Horizon Inquiry appoints Charles Cipione as IT Expert Witness
Sir Wyn Williams has appointed Charles Cipione as an Expert Witness to independently review and analyse evidence the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry has received on the Horizon system.
In his statement of 12 April 2022, the Chair stated that the Inquiry has received vast amounts of data relating to Phases 2 and 3, which will examine the procurement, design and roll-out of the system as well as the operation, training, assistance, resolution of disputes, knowledge and rectification of errors in the system.
He has therefore appointed an Expert Witness with expertise in analysing and interpreting data relating to information technology, who will be instructed in the review of this data in preparation for the next phases of the Inquiry.
Following an open process, the Chair has appointed Charles Cipione to this role. Mr Cipione is a Managing Director in the risk advisory practice at global consulting firm, AlixPartners, with over 30 years of experience and expansive understanding of information systems technologies. His primary area of expertise is complex data analytics as it relates to both financial and operational systems, and he brings experience in systems assessments, application reviews, data analytics, ad hoc reporting, application development, and data modelling.
Mr Cipione’s expert report will be provided to the Chair and Core Participants ahead of Phase 2 hearings, which are set to begin in the week commencing 12 September 2022.
A full list of the phases of the Inquiry is set out here.
Ends.
Notes to editors:
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An expert witness is often appointed by a public inquiry to give an opinion on matters which call for expert skill and knowledge. Their role is to provide technical analysis and expertise, which will assist the Inquiry in delivering its Terms of Reference.
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The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry is an independent public inquiry examining failings surrounding the Post Office’s Horizon IT system which led to the suspension and termination of contracts, and the wrongful prosecution and conviction of subpostmasters and subpostmistresses. Read the List of Issues the Inquiry is examining here.
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The Chair will publish a report, setting out his findings and recommendations, on conclusion of the Inquiry.
