CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION AUTHORITY (CICA)
INDEPENDANT CLAIMS ADVICE

We are a specialist claims service which deals with CICA Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claims on a no win no fee basis. We are an independent company with no connection to the CICA and if our application for compensation is unsuccessful, for any reason whatsoever, we will not make any charge to you. Our claims are completely risk free and you do not have to pay for any expenses during the course of the claim. We have a client centred approach and will focus entirely on your needs by providing vigorous and committed expert representation to ensure that you receive fair and equitable compensation for your injuries. If you would like free advice on the telephone, without obligation, just phone 0845 177 0700 or complete the contact form. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not pay for our advice.

Approximately 550 staff work for The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in administration at the Home Office and the Scottish Executive offices in Glasgow and London to process applications for compensation for trauma from the victims of violent crime throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own separate scheme. Over £200,000,000 is distributed to over 70,000 applicants for compensation every year.

The aim of the scheme is to recognise physical and mental injuries, caused by crimes of violence and where appropriate to compensate for pain and suffering, lost salary and certain special expenses which may include compensation for bereavement and compensation for the lost earnings of a deceased person.

The administration of claims made before 1 April 1996 were determined on the same basis as for a personal injury claim in the civil courts however in 1996 the system changed to a tariff scheme whereby each injury attracts a fixed payment and notwithstanding some further changes in 2001 that basic system is still in use.

Upon receipt of a completed claim form the CICA will acknowledge receipt and allocate a personal reference number and will thereafter make enquiries of the police, doctors, hospitals and any other relevant organisations. Due to different circumstances attaching to each claim there is a wide variation in the time taken for the CICA to come to a decision on whether or not to grant an award and how much the compensation should be. Over 90% of cases are resolved within 12 months of receipt of the application but cases where there is a criminal trial and cases involving future loss of earnings or future medical expenses may take longer. The average time for determination of a claim is 8 months.

In the event of an initial decision by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority being unsatisfactory to the applicant then it can be reviewed by a more senior officer within the CICA. If the outcome of the review is also unsatisfactory an appeal can be made to an Appeals Panel, which is independent of the CICA.

If the decision of the Appeals Panel is unsatisfactory due to poor administration a complaint can be made to the The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the Ombudsman). If you want to make a complaint to the Ombudsman in England and Wales, you must write to your MP. If you want to complain to the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman, you should write to:

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
23 Walker Street
EDINBURGH
EH3 7XH