Please note that Ashtons Legal can only act for individuals with CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) claims who have been directed to our firm through established referral schemes with our business partners.
What is the CICA?
- The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a government funded body that allows blameless victims to claim compensation for violent crimes that have resulted in a personal injury.
General requirements
- the applicant has sustained a criminal injury
- the injury is attributable to an act of violence
- the crime was within the last two years
- the crime was promptly reported to the police, and there is continued co-operation with the police from that point on
- the incident occurred in Great Britain.
There are other criteria too which need to be met, depending on the circumstances of the claim.
- Legal aid is not available for CICA claims, therefore if a solicitor was to be instructed, a percentage of your award, if successful, would be retained to fund this. Due to the restrictions on CICA claims, and the lengthy process, commonly resulting in appeals, this could mean a substantial amount of the award would be payable to the instructing solicitor.
- We at Ashtons Legal understand that this is a very stressful and upsetting time for the victims and their loved ones, however, we have taken the decision to no longer pursue claims to the CICA, unless they have been directed to our firm through an established referral scheme with our business partners. We believe that, due to the rigid approach and lengthy timescales, and the fact that the Client’s compensation will be reduced significantly to pay legal fees, our efforts are best focused on non-criminal / deliberate personal injury claims.
- If you or a loved one have been personally injured as a result of a criminal injury it is possible to make a CICA claim directly and handle the process yourself. This would be dependent on the complexity of the injuries, the case, and the value. The injuries must be severe enough to merit the CICA’s minimum payment of £1,000 and the onus is on the applicant to provide the evidence required.
- If you do require legal representation, please visit the Law Society website for a list of legal firms who will be able to offer assistance with CICA claims.