Skip to Content

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme: Key Changes and Current Eligibility Rules

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) provides financial support to victims of violent crime in England, Scotland, and Wales. Since its last major revision in 2012 and subsequent updates, the scheme has undergone changes affecting eligibility, award levels, and time limits. This article outlines the key developments and provides essential information for applicants in 2025.



1. Eligibility Criteria

Must have sustained a physical or mental injury due to a violent crime.
Must report the incident to the police promptly.

Applications must be submitted within 2 years of the incident (exceptions apply for minors or vulnerable adults).

2. Recent Changes

Removal of automatic exclusions for unspent convictions (subject to case-by-case review).
Expanded recognition of psychological harm and coercive control.
Increased awards for sexual assault and domestic abuse cases.

3. Compensation Bands

Awards range from £1,000 to £500,000 depending on severity.
Loss of earnings and extraordinary expenses may be claimed if the criteria are met.

4. Appeals and Reviews

Applicants can request a review or appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

Legal representation is not required but may improve outcomes.

Conclusion: Victims of crime should seek advice early to ensure eligibility and maximise their claim. For more information, visit the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme: Key Changes and Current Eligibility Rules
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Children and the Law Consensual Sex

Children and the Law Consensual Sex
To consent is to agree to something, so when you are talking about the age of consent it is the age at which that law state..

Clare`s Law - Domestic Violence.

The domestic violence disclosure scheme named after domestic violence victim Clare Wood has been brought in throughout England and Wales. If you feel you could..

Finding a valuable item.

Finding a valuable item.
Every now and then someone finds a stash of coins or jewellery that is 100's of years old, may have been lost, buried as part of a ce..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Social media in the work place

Social media in the work place - Staff using social media in the work place can become a problem, productivity and performance can be affected by the time spent..

Plea services launched online.

Plea services launched on-line for motoring offences -
The Government has launched a new service that allows motorists charged with summary offences to enter a..

Totting up points on your driving Licence

Totting up points on your driving Licence.
When a driver accumulates twelve points or more in a three-year period on their driving license they are normally s..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Children and the Law - Smacking

Children and the Law - Smacking.
It is surprising that the UK have not adopted the same stance as in Europe where the EU have adopted a clearer stance in makin..

New Guidelines for online hate crimes.

New guidelines have been issued to crack down on online hate...

Discrimination at work | Age

Discrimination at work.
A person must not be treated differently to any other employee because of their .....

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top