Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims Solicitors
If you have been injured as a victim of violent crime and want to make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, our solicitors, with over 15 years of experience in CICA claims in England and Wales, can help.
Criminal injuries compensation is a government scheme that provides financial awards to victims of violent crime who have been physically or psychologically injured in England, Scotland or Wales. The scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, and operates under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. Awards are made on a tariff basis: each type of injury carries a fixed band, and applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to an award from the relevant band rather than a compensation amount calculated on the facts of their individual case, as would apply in a civil claim.
CICA claims are separate from any criminal prosecution and do not depend on the offender being identified, charged or convicted. What matters is that the violent crime occurred and that the applicant meets the scheme’s eligibility requirements. Law Lane Solicitors advises victims of crime and their families from our offices in Stratford, High Holborn and Croydon. Founded in 2015, we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our reviews average 4.95 out of 5 based on over 1,200 reviews.
What does our CICA claims service cover?
Criminal injuries compensation claims arise from a wide range of violent crimes and can be complex in their own right, particularly when eligibility is disputed or an initial application has been refused. Our team advises and acts on the following matters:
- Initial CICA applications, advising on eligibility, gathering the supporting evidence, and submitting a well-prepared application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
- Claims for physical injury caused by assault, including injuries from unprovoked attacks, domestic violence, stabbings, and other violent crimes occurring in England, Scotland or Wales.
- Claims for psychological injury, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression caused by a violent crime, where medical evidence from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist supports the claim.
- Claims by secondary victims who witnessed a violent crime against a close family member and suffered a disabling psychological injury as a result.
- Claims involving domestic abuse and sexual violence, advising carefully on the eligibility criteria and how the applicant’s history and relationship with the perpetrator are assessed under the scheme.
- Reviews of refused or reduced awards, where the CICA has rejected an initial application or made an award that does not reflect the full extent of the injuries suffered.
- Appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation), where a review decision is contested, and the applicant wishes the decision to be examined by an independent tribunal.
- Loss of earnings and special expenses claims, where the injury is so serious that the applicant is unable to work or requires care for more than 28 weeks.
- Bereavement and dependency claims, where a victim has died as a result of a violent crime and qualifying relatives are entitled to seek compensation under the scheme.
- Time limit advice: adult applicants must ordinarily submit their CICA application within two years of the incident, and the scheme allows extensions only in exceptional circumstances where the application could not have been made earlier.
Why choose Law Lane for CICA claims?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme has detailed eligibility rules that can make what seems like a straightforward claim considerably more complicated. The CICA assesses the applicant’s conduct before, during, and after the incident, takes into account any unspent criminal convictions, and considers whether the incident was properly reported to the police. A refused application or a reduced award is not the end of the process. There is a review stage and, beyond that, an independent appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Having a solicitor who understands those stages and how to present the evidence effectively makes a material difference to the outcome.
We advise clients who are going through the process for the first time, as well as those who have received a refusal or an award they consider inadequate. We explain the tariff structure clearly, advise on the realistic value of the claim before any application is submitted, and represent clients at tribunal hearings when required.
We have solicitors, solicitor-advocates and barristers under one roof. CICA tribunal hearings require clear, focused advocacy. Rather than referring clients to external counsel when a hearing is needed, our in-house team handles the matter from the initial application through to the final determination.
Get in touch
Our personal injury team is ready to advise you on your CICA claim today. The two-year time limit is strict, so please do not delay in seeking advice.
Phone: 020 7870 4870 or email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk
Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims
What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is a government-funded scheme that pays compensation to people who have been physically or psychologically injured as a direct result of a violent crime. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority administers the scheme and awards are set by a published tariff, meaning each type of injury attracts a fixed band of compensation. The scheme operates separately from any civil claim or criminal prosecution.
Do I need to know who attacked me to make a claim?
No. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme does not require the perpetrator to have been identified, charged or convicted. What is required is that the incident be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and that the applicant cooperate with the CICA in establishing that a violent crime occurred.
How long do I have to apply to the CICA?
If you were an adult at the time of the incident, you must ordinarily apply within two years of the incident. The two-year period can only be extended in exceptional circumstances where the application could not have been made earlier, and the evidence means the claim can be decided without extensive further investigation. For applicants who were under 18 at the time, different rules apply depending on when the incident was first reported to the police. We advise on the time limit in your specific circumstances.
Will my criminal record affect my claim?
An unspent criminal conviction may reduce or prevent an award under the scheme. The scheme contains specific provisions disqualifying applicants with certain types of unspent convictions, including those resulting in custodial sentences. The CICA also has discretion to reduce an award based on conduct and character. We advise on the impact of any criminal history before an application is made.
What if my claim has been refused?
A refused CICA application can be challenged first at the review stage, where a claims officer not involved in the original decision reconsiders it. If the review is also unfavourable, there is a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). Strict time limits apply at each stage. We advise on the prospects of challenge and represent clients at both the review and tribunal stage.
Can I claim for psychological injury alone?
Yes. The scheme covers psychological injuries as well as physical ones, provided the injury is clinically verified as a disabling condition. Psychological injuries caused by sexual offences or witnessing a violent crime against a close relative may be eligible without any physical injury being present. Medical evidence from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is required to support such a claim.
Can family members claim if a loved one died from a violent crime?
Yes. The scheme provides for bereavement payments and dependency payments to qualifying relatives of someone who died as a result of a violent crime. Qualifying relatives include a spouse or civil partner who was living with the deceased, a partner for at least two years, and parents and children. The scheme also provides for a flat-rate funeral payment. We advise families on the full scope of entitlement following a bereavement.
How much does an initial consultation cost?
We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation for CICA matters. At that meeting, we assess your eligibility, advise on the tariff bands likely to apply to your injuries, and explain the process and timescales involved. Please get in touch to arrange a time.
Personal injury team
Tahir Shahab Khan
Supervising Director, Solicitor AdvocateView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Jai Singh
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Monica Coleman
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Nicola Miley
Senior Litigation ExecutiveView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Sajad Zamir
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
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