Victim of Crime?

Information on compensation for victims of crime

If your injuries have been caused as the result of a violent crime then you may be able to make an application to the Government's Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for compensation.

In 1964 the Government established a non-departmental public body - the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) to administer compensation throughout Great Britain on the basis of common law damages to victims of a crime of violence. 

Claim Online Now

In 1996 the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) was established to administer a new tariff-based scheme which came into effect for all applications received on or after 1 April 1996. When the new scheme was introduced it was noted that it would "not be intended to give full compensation, but should be an expression of public sympathy to victims of violent crime". Unlike general damages in civil proceedings the level of award is now calculated on a strict tariff level. There are 25 tariff levels, ranging from £1,000 up to £250,000, and 200 injury groupings showing which level they fall into and standard amount of criminal injuries compensation. You'll find them all on the CICA site (www.cica.gov.uk), in the Guide to the Scheme (you'll need Adobe Acrobat to read it). Your claim, if accepted, must be assessed at least at Level 1 - £1,000.

Here are just a few examples of the tariffs

Loss of Ear    Level 13    £10,000 (standard amount)
Displaced fracture of the nasal bones     Level 3    £1,500 (standard amount)
Neck whiplash (lasting 6 - 13 weeks)    Level 1    £1,000 (standard amount)
Non-consensual intercourse (rape)    Level 12    £7,500 (standard amount)

You need to make your application for compensation on the appropriate application form, which you can usually obtain on their website. You can also get copies from either of their two offices, but applications should be sent to the Glasgow address.

Northern Ireland has its own Scheme and details can be obtained from:

The Compensation Agency
Royston House
34 Upper Queen Street
BELFAST
BT1 6FD .

Telephone - 01232 249944

In order to qualify for an award your injury must be directly applicable to a crime of violence or an offence of trespass on a railway or an attempted apprehension of an offender and must have taken place in Great Britain (or Channel Tunnel). There does not need to be a conviction or even for the culprit to be found, but it makes the process easier if both are satisfied. You must generally apply within 2 years of the date of the incident.

Disclaimer & Privacy Policy: Whilst we try to ensure that we only publish information which is up-to-date and accurate, we cannot guarantee this to be the case. We cannot accept any liability for any actions done or not done as a result of reading any information on this site, or as a result of any guidance given by ourselves or solicitors with whom we work. This site provides general guidance and not specific legal advice, for which individuals should consult a solicitor.

This website does not automatically capture or store any personal information about those who use it. Those who complete online forms or who email information to us may give us their personal details, which may be retained by us and used to email you with relevant information and guidance, and may also be passed on to solicitors who are on our various panels of legal advisors. That information will not be passed on to anyone else.