You can appeal to a tribunal if you disagree with a decision by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) on your claim for compensation.

You may want to appeal if you are refused compensation or are unhappy with the amount.

The tribunal can:

• uphold the CICA’s decision
• increase or reduce your award
• decide you shouldn’t get anything

You have 90 days to appeal to the tribunal from the date of the CICA's review decision.

Explain why you’re late if you miss the deadline - eg if you’re waiting for medical reports.

Help and advice

You can represent yourself at the tribunal, but you may want to get help and advice before you appeal.

You can contact:

• a solicitor
• Victim Support
• a local victim services group
• Citizens Advice

Fill in the form to appeal, giving reasons why you disagree with the CICA’s decision.

Download 'Appeal form' (PDF, 64KB)

You must also provide:

• the decision letter from the CICA
• documents supporting your case - eg medical records or evidence of loss of earnings

Send the form, decision letter and documents to:

First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation)
Wellington House
134-136 Wellington Street
Glasgow
G2 2XL

enquiries-cicap@tribunals.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0141 354 8555
Fax: 0141 354 8556
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The tribunal will send a copy of your appeal form to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

The CICA will aim to respond to your appeal within 6 weeks.

You will then have 1 month to get back to the tribunal with any extra information or arguments.

How your appeal will be decided

The tribunal will write to tell you if your appeal will be decided using:

• the paperwork in the case
• a hearing

The tribunal judge’s decision will be sent to you by post if your appeal is decided using paperwork.

You will be given at least 14 days’ notice of any hearing.

Hearings

The hearing will usually be held in the area covered by the police force which investigated the crime.

The hearing will be attended by:

• 2 or 3 tribunal judges or members
• a clerk
• a representative from the CICA
• any witnesses

A police officer who knows about your case may also attend if they can help the tribunal.

Offenders don’t usually attend tribunal hearings.

What happens at a hearing

You will be asked questions about the crime and your injuries.

Other witnesses will only come into the hearing room to give evidence, and will then leave.

You or your representative can ask questions during the hearing, and can make points at the end.

You will usually get the tribunal’s decision on the day of the hearing.

Expenses for going to the hearing

The tribunal will send you information on how to claim expenses for going to the hearing, such as travel costs.

The tribunal’s decision is final.

You may be able to ask for a ‘judicial review’ of the decision if you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason.

Contact a solicitor for legal advice if you’re unsure.

Before applying for a judicial review:

• write to the tribunal, saying why you think the decision was wrong
• ask for written reasons for its decision

You must do this within 1 month of the date of the decision.

Asking for a judicial review

England and Wales

You can appeal to a higher tribunal, called the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber), if you live in England or Wales.

Fill in the judicial review claim form and return it to the address on the form.

Find out more about appealing to the Upper Tribunal.

Scotland

You can appeal to the Court of Session if you live in Scotland by using the application for leave to appeal form.

Download 'Application for leave to appeal form' (RTF, 5KB)

Send the form to:

Outer House
Court of Session
Parliament House
Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ

supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk
Telephone: 0131 225 2595
Fax: 0131 240 6711
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