Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA)

Is CICA the Same as a No Win No Fee Claim?

Direct Answer: No. CICA is a government-funded compensation scheme, not a civil lawsuit. Applications are free and do not require a solicitor, though legal representation can help. Tariff-based awards range from £1,000 to £500,000. There is a 2-year time limit from the incident (extendable in some cases).

The CICA scheme is a state-funded compensation programme, not a civil lawsuit. Applications are submitted directly to CICA and are free of charge. No CFA or no win no fee arrangement is needed or applicable. However, solicitors may assist with complex applications, reviews, and appeals — some offering CFA-funded representation for the appeals process.

Eligibility

To be eligible for CICA compensation, you must:

• Have sustained a physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime
• Have reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable
• Have cooperated with the police investigation
• Apply within 2 years of the incident (with exceptions)
• Be ordinarily resident in the UK (or an EU/EEA national, or a qualifying member of HM Armed Forces)

The Tariff System

CICA uses a tariff of injuries grouped into bands. For example, minor physical injuries attract awards from £1,000, while severe brain injuries or paralysis can attract up to £250,000 for the injury alone. Additional compensation may be available for loss of earnings (capped at the statutory cap equivalent) and special expenses (ongoing care costs).

CICA vs Civil Claims

You can pursue both a CICA application and a civil claim against the perpetrator or a responsible institution. However, any damages recovered through civil proceedings will be deducted from the CICA award, and any CICA award already received must be repaid from civil damages. Civil claims typically offer higher compensation but require proof of a defendant's liability. CICA requires only proof that you were a victim of a violent crime.