What you should expect from the CICA?
There is a system for CICA complaints. As it’s a publicly funded government body, it often does not have the resources to handle cases as quickly as you or your solicitor would like.
CICA claims
Northern Ireland CICA calculator
Calculate what compensation you could be entitled to if you have suffered criminal injuries in Northern Ireland
Very professional and understanding, always reply promptly and keep you upto date with any issues and concerns, we would highly reccommend them.
Robert
I would highly recommend Winston Solicitors to anyone. They are very professional approachable, understanding and friendly.
Anonymous
I've used Winston's twice, once back in 2011 and most recently over the past 16 months. Both times I came out with a successful result. They are very clear in their process and communications and always forthcoming in keeping you updated on your case. Can't recommend enough.
Luke
Amazing company, take care of everything and simply give you what you need to complete. Felt I was in very good hands and got the best outcome possible.
David
I used Winston Solicitors for my CICA claim. Lakhvinder was great and dealt with my case from start to finish, offering advice throughout and kept me in the loop with any updates.
Ryan
CICA complaints
How to Make CICA Complaints
How Do I Make CICA Complaints?
How long does it take for the CICA to make an award?
The CICA website suggests cases usually take about 1 year. In 2018 the CICA had a big recruitment drive and in our experience we are seeing this average time reduce. Depending on how much medical evidence is required, cases are taking as little as 3 months. This is great for our clients.
However sometimes cases are not moved on by the CICA with reasonable speed, so a complaint is necessary.
Is there a CICA complaints scheme?
The CICA has a formal process for complaints. It sets out three stages of complaint which are as follows:
Stage 1 - CICA complaints
The team handling your claim will contact you about your complaint. They should do this within five working days of receipt of your letter of complaint. This is a good tactic to use when you do not hear from the CICA for a long time. It looks like your claim has been forgotten, and a well timed complaint, refocuses their attention on your claim.
Stage 2 - CICA Complaints handling process
If the CICA are not able to take the action you asked for at stage one and you are not happy with their explanation, a manager can be requested to investigate further. This usually helps where a case is not being thoroughly considered, and information is being obtain on a ‘piecemeal’ basis, rather than all at the same time. A manager is more likely to review the case fully and get your claim back on track.
Stage 3 - Final internal process complaint
If the CICA still do not take the action you believe they should, you can request a senior manager become involved. They will review your claim again, and will where possible move the case on. Normally no further action is required, as the claim is put back on track.
What happens if your complaint is not resolved by the CICA?
If after the CICA have completed their three stage complaint process, there is still a genuine complaint, you need to complain to an external organisation. Depending on where you live in the UK the process differs.
CICA Complaints UK-Wide
A complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)
In Scotland if you have exhausted the CICA complaints process, you can complain directly to the SPSO.
How do you complain to the England and Wales Ombudsman?
This process is more complicated, as you need to do so via your Member of Parliament. Whereas in Scotland; you can approach the Ombudsman directly. In England and Wales the Ombudsman is called the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Call 0113 320 5000 to find out how we can help you with a criminal injury claim or email cica@winstonsolicitors.co.uk.
CICA Claim Time Limits - UK-Wide Legal Support
AI Summary:
You usually have 2 years to make a CICA claim after a criminal injury - but some exceptions apply. We help people across the UK check if they’re still in time, even after delays. With over 3,000 five-star reviews, Winston Solicitors can guide you every step of the way.
- Check your CICA time limit – UK-wide
- Understand 2-year claim rules
- Get help with child abuse cases
- Claim after trauma or delays
- Use our free CICA calculator
- Speak to trusted CICA solicitors
CICA Claim Time Limits Explained
If you're worried about the CICA claim time limits, you've come to the right place. You usually have 2 years to make a CICA claim after a criminal injury, but some exceptions apply. We help people across the UK check if they’re still in time, even after delays. With over 3,000 five-star reviews, Winston Solicitors can guide you every step of the way.
- Check CICA time limits – UK-wide
- Understand 2-year claim rules
- Get help with child abuse cases
- Claim after trauma or delays
- Use our free CICA calculator
- Speak to trusted CICA solicitors
When Should You Make a CICA Claim?
If you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, you normally have two years from the date of the incident to make a claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). That clock starts ticking from the moment the incident happened, not when the court hearing takes place.
Don’t wait for a criminal trial to finish; waiting could cost you your right to claim.
We’ve helped people across the UK who were unsure if they were still in time. Some had nearly missed the deadline, and others didn’t realise their time limit had already started.
“I thought I had to wait for the court case. Winston Solicitors helped me apply just in time and now I’ve been awarded £11,000.”
— Client from Manchester
What Is the 2-Year CICA Time Limit?
The standard rule is clear:
You must apply to the CICA within 2 years of the crime.
That means:
- If the incident happened on 1 July 2023, your deadline is 30th June 2025, not 1st July 2025
- Claims submitted on the exact 2-year anniversary are treated as late
- You’re expected to apply as soon as possible, not just before the deadline
“The CICA will look at the 2-year time limit as a guideline only; they will consider whether an application has been submitted as soon as reasonably practicable.
Therefore even where a person applies within 2 years of the incident, the CICA will still consider whether an application could have been made any sooner.
Our advice it always to submit your claim as soon as possible and we urge anyone who is considering making a claim, to not hold off”
— Stacey Flegg, Head of Criminal Injuries at Winston Solicitors.
Exceptions to the CICA Time Limit
The CICA does allow some exceptions - but only in limited cases. Here’s when you may still be able to claim, even after two years:
You were under 18 at the time
- If you were a child when the incident occurred and this was reported to the police after you turned 18; the two-year limit will apply from the date it was reported.
- But if you’re still under 18 now, you can apply straight away - you will need a legal guardian to act on your behalf.
You’ve only just reported the abuse
- This often applies in historic sexual abuse cases
- The CICA time limit begins once the abuse is reported to the police - not when it happened
Example: If abuse happened in the 1970s but was only reported in 2024, the 2-year clock starts in 2024.
You had mental health issues
- If your mental health stopped you from claiming, the CICA may allow extra time
- You’ll need strong medical evidence, typically from a consultant psychiatrist or psychologist
- Counselling alone isn’t usually enough
In all cases, it is important to bear in mind that whilst the CICA consider 2 years to be the general limitation for applications; the scheme actually says that an application must be submitted as soon as reasonably practicable - therefore even where cases are submitted within 2 years of the incident, or the date of reporting; the CICA will still consider whether the claim could have been made any sooner.
How Long Does a CICA Claim Take?
Most CICA claims take 12-18 months to complete. The time varies depending on:
- How quickly the police provide their report
- Whether your injuries are still being treated
- Whether medical evidence is available
The sooner you apply, the sooner we can help you gather what you need.
Can I Claim for a Child or Someone Else?
Yes. If you're a parent, guardian or carer, you can make a claim on behalf of:
- A child under 18
- An adult who lacks mental capacity
Any compensation will normally go into a trust, and we can help you set that up too.
How to Check If You're Still in Time to Claim
You don’t need to guess - we’ve made it easy to find out.
How-To: Check Your Claim Deadline
- Use our free CICA time limit calculator
- Answer a few quick questions about the date of the incident
- See if you're still in time
- If yes: you can start your claim right away
- If no: we can advise if an exception applies
“I had no idea I could still claim. Winston Solicitors made the whole thing easy.”
— CICA client from Birmingham
Start Your CICA Claim Today
If you’re worried about the time limit, don’t delay. We’re here to help you understand your rights, protect your claim, and get the compensation you deserve.
We’ve helped thousands of people across the UK claim through the CICA — even when they thought it was too late.
Call us on 0113 320 5000 or start your claim online now – it only takes minutes
You usually have two years from the date of the incident to apply. The CICA count this as 1 year and 364 days. Applying on the exact 2-year mark may be rejected as being out of time.
In some cases, yes. If you were a child at the time, reported the incident late, or had serious mental health problems, the CICA may extend the deadline. It depends on your circumstances and supporting evidence.
Most claims take between 12 and 18 months. The timeline depends on the police report, medical evidence, and whether your injuries have stabilised.
No. You should not wait for a criminal trial to end. The CICA deadline runs from the incident date, not the court outcome.
Yes. You can claim on behalf of a child or an adult who lacks mental capacity. Winston Solicitors can guide you through the process and help set up a compensation trust if needed.
The CICA may accept a late claim if you can show your mental health made it impossible to apply earlier. You’ll need medical records from a psychiatrist or psychologist to support this.
You can use our CICA time limit calculator online or contact us directly. We’ll check your dates and tell you straight away if you can still claim.
Do I Need to Report a crime to the Police for a CICA Claim?
Do I need a police report for a CICA claim?
Police reports and the CICA
If you're asking yourself "Do I need to report a crime to the police for a CICA claim?" then you've come to the wrong place. The police play a very important role in claims for compensation under the CICA scheme.
The first thing the CICA do when investigating a claim for criminal injury is to request the police report. They use it to initially consider whether a victim is eligible for claming CICA compensation. Depending on what it contains often makes the difference between a successful claim and a rejected claim.
Do I have to cooperate with the police?
Tips on how best to make sure the police report helps your claim
Always cooperate with the police. The CICA actually ask the police if you have cooperated, and it is amazing how many times we have seen the police say 'no the victim hasn’t'. The victim might not have provided a full statement, because after initial contact with the police, it was never possible to arrange a meeting to give a statement. The CICA believe it is the victim’s responsibility to provide a full statement, so even if it’s the police’s fault, the CICA will reject a claim where a full statement is not taken.
Will my CICA claim be rejected if I don’t cooperate with the police?
I am reluctant to cooperate with the police
There are genuine reasons for feeling like this. You may be too busy at work and anyway, you didn’t see anything so why do I need to give a full statement? Or you may feel scared to give a statement. Or you may wish to withdraw your statement. In all these situations the CICA will say you have not cooperated and will reject your claim.
We have helped a number of victims get their claims back on track, providing them with guidance on what to do, if we realise their claim is going to be rejected when we first check to see if they are eligible.
Can I claim from the CICA if no one was charged or convicted?
Does it matter if the police prosecute?
It depends. In sexual assault cases where there are no other witnesses, the CICA often reject claims if the police do not prosecute (it’s actually the Crown Prosecution Service who decide). So providing as much information to the police gives you the best change of a prosecution and therefore you having a successful claim.
You do not need a conviction, just a prosecution.
Is a police prosecution always required?
There are occasions when a prosecution is not required. You are stabbed and the person runs off never to be found. It’s clear you are the victim of a crime, so even though there is no prosecution the CICA will not reject your claim. Or you are the victim of historic sexual abuse and your abuser is now dead. The police will not prosecute, but providing there is sufficient evidence to show that you have been abused, the CICA are likely to pay you compensation.
Should I speak to a criminal injuries lawyer?
It is so important to get the right advice before making a claim. Don’t just submit a claim and expect the CICA to help you. They don’t, as their ‘Victim’s compensation fund’ is too small to compensate all victims so they use their rules to reject claims whenever they can, so making the fund ‘go further’. We have heard so often from people who have submitted without advice ‘I did not know’ when their claim is rejected and they now seek help. It’s much harder to rectify a mistake once a claim is rejected than to deal with the problem before the claim is submitted. You can complain to the CICA but their strict rules make it difficult to change their decisions.
Please call 0113 320 5000 or email cica@winstonsolicitors.co.uk. We always provide an initial assessment of your case at no charge.
When asked by the police if you wish to press charges against your assailant, you must agree to do so to be able to claim compensation for your injuries. The CICA expect all applicants to act as far as reasonably practicable in bringing their assailant to justice, and therefore any reluctance to assist the police in securing a prosecution, may see your claim rejected by the CICA.
The CICA require evidence to show that on “balance of probability” you have been the innocent victim of a crime of violence; therefore so long as the police were satisfied that you were the innocent victim of a crime of violence, this should be sufficient for the CICA to consider your application.
You may be able to. The burden of proof required by police and the Crown Prosecution Service is that they must show “beyond all reasonable doubt” that the assailant is guilty – sometimes this will lead the CPS being unable to charge if there are some discrepancies or a lack of evidence. The burden of proof the CICA require is much less and it is accepted “on balance of probability” that the crime took place, then you should be able to claim compensation.
No, you don't. The CICA expect an application to be made as soon as reasonably possible. The burden of proof for the CICA is lesser than what is needed in court; therefore, providing the police have agreed to investigate your allegations; this should be sufficient to proceed with an application. The CICA apply a limitation of 2 years* from the date of reporting to make a claim for compensation; therefore, waiting for the outcome of a court hearing could sometimes jeopardise your position.