How to Appeal a CICA Decision — UK Guide
If the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has refused your claim, or offered less than you believe it’s worth, that is not necessarily the end of the road. There is a two-stage process for challenging a CICA decision: first asking CICA to review its own decision, and then, if you’re still unhappy, appealing to an independent tribunal. Each stage has its own strict deadline, and appealing carries a real risk that your award could go down as well as up.
This guide explains how the review and tribunal stages work, what evidence helps, and what happens if you lose. For the underlying rules on eligibility and the initial application, see our assault compensation claims guide and our CICA two-year time limit guide — the deadlines covered here are separate from, and much shorter than, the two-year application limit.
Stage One: Ask CICA to Review the Decision
If you disagree with CICA’s decision, the first step is to write to CICA within 56 days of the date on the decision letter, asking for an internal review. You can submit further information or evidence at this stage for CICA to consider. If you miss the 56-day window, you can ask for it to be extended by up to a further 56 days, but this will only be granted if there are exceptional circumstances that meant you could not ask for the extension sooner, and it can only be granted once.
Stage Two: Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal
If you disagree with the outcome of CICA’s review, you can appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). You have 90 days from the date of the review decision to do this. The tribunal is separate from CICA and will consider both sides before making its own decision.
To appeal, you’ll need to complete the tribunal’s appeal form, along with a copy of your review decision letter and any supporting evidence, such as medical records or proof of lost earnings. You can apply online or by post, and you can represent yourself, or have a solicitor, friend, or family member present your case for you.
CICA usually responds to the tribunal within six weeks of receiving your appeal, and you’ll then have a month to respond with any further information. The tribunal will decide your case either on the paperwork alone or at a hearing — you can ask for a hearing if you’d prefer one. Hearings are usually held in the area covered by the police force that investigated the original crime, are attended by two or three tribunal members, a clerk, and a CICA representative, and you’ll normally learn the outcome on the day. Reasonable travel expenses for attending a hearing are covered.
The Risk of Appealing: Your Award Could Go Down
It’s important to go into a tribunal appeal with realistic expectations. The tribunal has the power to uphold CICA’s review decision, increase your award, reduce it, decide that no award should be made at all, or send the case back to CICA to reconsider. Appealing is not a one-way bet — if the tribunal takes a different view of the evidence than you expect, your compensation could end up lower than what CICA originally offered. A solicitor can help you assess realistically whether an appeal is likely to improve your position before you commit to one.
If You Lose at the Tribunal, Is There Anything Else You Can Do?
There is no further right of appeal from the tribunal’s decision. However, if you believe the tribunal made a legal error — as opposed to simply disagreeing with how it weighed the evidence — you may be able to seek a judicial review. You must first write to the tribunal within one month of its decision asking for written reasons, and permission to proceed must then be granted by the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) if you’re in England or Wales, or the Court of Session if you’re in Scotland. This is a narrow, legally technical route, and specialist legal advice is strongly recommended before pursuing it.
Evidence That Strengthens an Appeal
- CICA’s original decision letter and, where relevant, its review decision letter
- Any new medical evidence or specialist reports gathered since the original decision
- Evidence of loss of earnings or other financial losses not previously considered
- Witness statements supporting the facts of the incident
- Copies of all correspondence with CICA
See our evidence needed guide for more on building a strong case.
No Win No Fee Help With a CICA Appeal
Claims Bible can match you with a panel solicitor to review your CICA decision and handle a review or tribunal appeal on a no win no fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and given the risk that an appeal could reduce your award, an experienced solicitor’s assessment of your prospects before you commit is often the most valuable part of the process. Read more on our how no win no fee works guide.
Common Questions About Appealing a CICA Decision
Can my compensation really be reduced if I appeal?
Yes. The tribunal reconsiders your case afresh and can reduce your award, or decide no award should be made, as well as increase it or uphold CICA’s decision. This is one of the most important things to understand before appealing, and a solicitor can help you weigh up the risk based on the specifics of your case.
How long does a tribunal appeal take?
CICA typically responds within six weeks of the tribunal receiving your appeal, after which you have a month to reply. Cases decided on paperwork can move relatively quickly, while those requiring a hearing will depend on the tribunal’s local listing times, with at least 14 days’ notice given before any hearing date.
Do I have to attend a hearing in person?
Not necessarily. Many appeals are decided on the paperwork alone. If a hearing does take place, you can attend in person, and someone else — a solicitor, friend, or family member — can present your case for you if you’d prefer not to attend or speak yourself.
What if I miss the appeal deadline?
You should still contact the tribunal and explain why you’re late, for example if you were waiting for medical evidence. Late appeals are considered on their individual circumstances, but there is no guarantee they will be accepted, so it’s best to apply within the 90-day window wherever possible.
Related Guides
Assault Compensation Claims — UK Guide (CICA)
The CICA Two-Year Time Limit Explained
CICA Eligibility & Tariff Guide
CICA Tariff Bands & Compensation Amounts
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