Improving the compensation service for victims of violent crime
18 June 2008
The changes aim to provide an improved service to victims of violent crime. They include streamlining some administrative procedures, clarifying the scheme rules in areas of doubt, and updating the tariff of injuries to reflect current views on the relative seriousness of certain injuries. The Appeals Panel, which currently handles appeals under the scheme, will be incorporated into a new tribunals system being introduced in November 2008.
The changes do not alter the shape or substance of the Scheme or, in most cases, the level of compensation awarded for injuries sustained as a result of a violent criminal act. The public consultation 'Rebuilding Lives: supporting victims of crime' proposed refocusing the scheme around the concept of 'seriousness'. There was little public support for such a major change to the scheme.
The changes to the scheme complement the major improvements being made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) in administering the scheme. In 2007 08, CICA resolved over 65,000 cases (6,000 more than the previous year), and paid out £235 million in compensation. The number of cases outstanding has been reduced to the lowest figure for nearly 20 years.
For more details, please click on the link to the right.