The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is a government funded scheme designed to compensate blameless victims of violent crime in Great Britain. It was established under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 and is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), who consider applications from victims or their families or dependants, and assess if and how much compensation is payable. In reaching its decisions, the CICA applies the civil standard of proof, ie the balance of probabilities.

The rules of the Scheme and the value of the payments awarded are set by Parliament and are calculated by reference to a tariff of injuries.

Payments of compensation payable in respect of injury cover

• mental or physical injury following a crime of violence;
• sexual or physical abuse;
• loss of earnings;
• special expenses incurred as a direct result of an incident;

Payments in the case of a fatality caused by a crime of violence may include:

• bereavement payments
• payments for loss of parental services
• payment in respect of financial dependency
• funeral payments

For more information, see Criminal injuries compensation: a guide