More than 80 per cent of the former subpostmasters whose convictions were overturned were represented by Tim Moloney QC of Doughty Street Chambers, instructed by Neil Hudgell of Hudgell Solicitors.

Subpostmasters were victims of a scandal which saw the Post Office use its private prosecution powers over a 15-year period from 2000 onwards to prosecute and convict them of crimes.

It used unreliable evidence from its faulty Horizon accounting system, which had showed unexplained shortfalls or discrepancies at branches across the country.

The Court of Appeal in London quashed 39 convictions in April and more former subpostmasters are still expected to bring appeals.

Speaking after 12 convictions were overturned yesterday, Mr Hudgell said: “Today is another step forward in terms of maintaining the momentum and ensuring we continue to contest every unsafe conviction as a result of the Post Office using its faulty Horizon computer system to pursue prosecutions against decent, honest, law-abiding people.

“Once again we have been proud to represent a group of people here who did no wrong, who were bullied into admitting to crimes they had not committed, made to pay back large sums of money they had not taken and who saw their lives irreparably damaged as a result.

“This group again includes people who spent time in prison. Sadly, what happened to each individual and their families can never be reversed. That makes it all the more important for it to be recognised by the Post Office and the courts.”