Who can make a criminal injuries compensation claim?

You might be able to make a criminal injury compensation claim if you have been harmed by a crime of violence and meet CICA’s rules. This can include both physical injuries and recognised psychological harm. Situations that may fall within the scheme include:

These examples are not exhaustive. CICA claims are assessed case by case, and the details of what happened, how it has affected you and how it was reported all matter. If you’re unsure whether your circumstances fit, specialist advice can help you understand your options.

Key CICA eligibility rules

CICA has detailed rules on criminal injuries compensation eligibility, but the core points can be summarised simply:

1. The incident must be a crime of violence that happened in England, Scotland or Wales.
2. The crime needs to have been reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable for your situation.
3. You must cooperate with the police investigation and with CICA’s enquiries.
4. You need to meet nationality or residency requirements. In broad terms, this often means you are normally living in the UK or have a close legal connection to the UK or another eligible country.

These are general rules only. There are exceptions and special provisions, particularly in abuse, children’s and historic cases. Express Solicitors can review the facts and explain how the CICA scheme may apply to you.

How a criminal record or conduct can affect a claim

CICA must take account of your own conduct before, during and after an incident and any unspent criminal convictions when deciding whether to make an award and, if so, at what level. In some cases, this can reduce the compensation offered. In more serious cases, it can mean no award is made.

Having a criminal record does not stop you being a victim of crime. Many people with convictions are harmed through no fault of their own. The impact on a claim depends on the type of offences, how long ago they happened and any sentence imposed. If you have a criminal record, it’s important not to assume you cannot claim. Our team can give clear, confidential advice on how CICA’s rules might affect your position.

How long do I have to make a CICA claim?

Most adults making a criminal injuries compensation claim have two years from the date of the incident to start their CICA application. This is the general rule across the scheme.

The two-year period usually begins on the day of the crime. For example, if the incident happened in early spring, CICA would normally expect the application to be submitted within two years of that date. The exact timing can depend on when the crime was reported and whether there were any delays that CICA considers reasonable.

Time limits for sexual and physical abuse

Abuse cases often work differently. Many survivors do not feel able to report what happened straight away, and CICA recognises this. For some cases involving sexual abuse or physical abuse, the two-year time limit runs from the date the abuse was first reported to the police rather than when it occurred.

This rule can give survivors more time to come forward, especially when the abuse happened many years earlier. These cases can be sensitive and complex, and specialist support can make the process feel more manageable.

Children’s claims and historic abuse

If the injured person was a child at the time of the incident, the way time limits apply can vary. A parent, carer or other responsible adult can usually bring the claim on the child’s behalf while they are under 18.

If no claim is made during childhood, the young person still has the option to claim once they turn 18, particularly where the crime or abuse was only reported later. Historic abuse cases often involve additional considerations, and it’s important to look at the circumstances carefully.

The rules can feel complicated, so early advice can help you understand the time limits that apply to your situation.

Out-of-time claims and exceptional circumstances

A claim made after the usual deadline is known as an out-of-time claim. CICA could consider these applications if there are exceptional circumstances explaining the delay.

These cases require detailed evidence and clear explanation. Express Solicitors is experienced in presenting out-of-time applications and addressing the issues CICA will consider.

If you think you might be out of time, you can contact us for confidential guidance on whether the scheme’s exceptional circumstances rules might apply.

How much compensation can I claim for a criminal injury? 

CICA decides compensation using a fixed tariff of injuries. Each injury has a set amount, and only certain injuries can be combined. The examples below are illustrations only; actual awards depend on evidence and CICA’s rules. Typical tariff examples include:

These examples show the range of awards available but do not predict what you may receive.

Other types of payment you might be able to claim

Depending on your situation, you might also be able to claim:

• Loss of earnings if your injuries prevent you working long-term and you meet the scheme’s criteria.
• Special expenses for essential costs such as medical aids or equipment.
• Bereavement, dependency and funeral payments in fatal cases.

What happens if CICA rejects or under-values your claim?

If CICA refuses your claim or offers an award you believe is too low, you can usually ask for a review. A review is a formal request for CICA to look at the decision again. People often request a review when CICA has questioned eligibility, discounted certain injuries or applied reductions they disagree with.

Express Solicitors can support you by examining the decision in detail, identifying any issues, gathering extra evidence and preparing clear written submissions for CICA to reconsider. There are strict time limits for requesting a review, so acting promptly is important.

Appealing to the Tribunal

If you still disagree with the outcome after the review, you might be able to appeal to an independent Tribunal. This is a separate body that will look at your case afresh and decide whether CICA’s decision should change.

Our team can advise whether an appeal is likely to be worthwhile, prepare the paperwork and represent you at the hearing where appropriate. While outcomes cannot be guaranteed, having specialist support can make the process more manageable and help you present your case with confidence.

Criminal injuries compensation for children and vulnerable adults

Children and vulnerable adults can claim through the CICA scheme, but the process often works differently. In many cases, a responsible adult will need to act on their behalf to ensure the claim is made safely and in their best interests.

A child can make a criminal injury compensation claim through a litigation friend. This is usually a parent, carer or another trusted adult who makes decisions for the child during the claim. A litigation friend communicates with solicitors, provides information, and helps make sure the claim is handled in a way that protects the child’s wellbeing. A similar arrangement might apply to adults who do not have the capacity to manage their own claim.

Time limits can be more flexible for children and survivors of historic abuse, especially when the incident was not reported until later. These situations are fact-specific and can be challenging to navigate, so early legal guidance can be helpful.

Express Solicitors works sensitively with families, carers and support services. Our role is to make the process as straightforward as possible while focusing on the needs of the child or vulnerable adult throughout.

Why choose Express Solicitors for your CICA claim?

Express Solicitors provides specialist support for criminal injuries compensation claims, helping you navigate the CICA process with confidence and care. You’ll receive:

• Specialist CICA expertise
• A trauma-aware approach
• Clear guidance from start to finish
• Support with reviews and appeals
• National representation
• Trusted and regulated
• No win, no fee promise

You don’t have to navigate the CICA scheme alone. We’ll focus on the legal process so you can focus on your recovery and support network.

Contact us today for a free, confidential chat about your criminal injuries compensation claim and how we can help.