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Written question asked by Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2026. It was answered by Catherine Atkinson (Labour) on Thursday, 18 June 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance is provided to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on the proportionality of evidence requests made to applicants; and what steps he is taking to ensure that requests for historic financial and medical records do not present a challenge to victims of violent crime.

Answer

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. Its decisions are made independently from the Secretary of State for Justice.

The amount of compensation CICA can award and the rules which apply are set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the 2012 Scheme).

The 2012 Scheme was made by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament

CICA claims officers assess applications under the 2012 Scheme. Each application is assessed on the balance of probabilities based on their own facts and the information available.

The 2012 Scheme requires applicants to give CICA information which is reasonably required to assess their eligibility. This includes medical and other information to assess injuries and losses.

Information about pre-existing medical conditions may be required because the claims officer must consider whether those conditions were exacerbated or accelerated by the crime. Information about employment may be required to assess eligibility for past and future loss of earnings. Under the Scheme, a loss of earnings award requires the applicant to have been in paid work on the date of the crime or for three years before the crime.

CICA’s guidance for claims officers is published on GOV.UK

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8810
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Crimes of violence Finance Evidence Medical records Victims Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk