The Church of England Redress Scheme Time Limits

If you're worried it's too late to apply to the Church of England Redress Scheme because the abuse happened many years ago, you're not alone. It's one of the first concerns that survivors bring up when we speak to them. The good news is that Church of England Redress Scheme time limits are very accommodating. In fact, it doesn't matter how long ago the abuse happened.

Whether the abuse you suffered happened in the 1950s, the 1970s, the 1990s or much more recently, you can still apply if you meet the scheme's eligibility rules. There *is* a time limit, but it isn't about when the abuse happened. Instead, it relates to how long the Redress Scheme itself will stay open for applications.

This page explains the difference, so you know exactly where you stand.

Where the Church of England Redress Scheme time limits come from in the rules

The test for who can apply is in Section 3 of the Abuse Redress Measure 2025. That test asks about the abuser’s role in the Church and whether the abuse was connected to that role. It says nothing about the year the abuse happened.

In plain terms: the date of the abuse is not part of the test.

Although the date of the abuse doesn't matter, the scheme itself won't stay open forever. Once the Church of England Redress Scheme officially opens, there will be around five years to submit new applications.

In simple terms, once the scheme opens, applications are accepted for a fixed period before it closes.

The General Synod has the power to extend that period, if necessary. But unless that happens, you will need to apply before the deadline.

Where this comes from in the rules

Section 7, subsection (2) of the Abuse Redress Measure 2025 reads:

"The application must, subject to subsection (3), be made:

1. before the end of the period of five years beginning with the date on which this section comes into force, or
2. if the General Synod resolves to extend that period, before the end of the extended period."

In plain terms: five years from the day the scheme starts, with the option for Synod to extend.

The law also allows the Rules to set an earlier practical deadline within those five years. The next section explains what that means.

Where this comes from in the rules

Section 7, subsections (3) and (4) of the Abuse Redress Measure 2025 read:

(3) Where a provision of the rules specifies a date as the final date on which applications for redress may be made:

(a) subsection (2) does not apply (except for the purposes of subsection (4)), and

(b) no application for redress may be made after the date so specified.

(4) The date so specified must be within the final 12 months of the period provided for under subsection (2)."

In plain terms: the Rules can set a real cut-off for new applications, and it has to fall inside the last 12 months of the five-year window.

This is where many people become confused.

Although the scheme is expected to run for five years, new applications will stop being accepted before those five years are over.

Under the Rules, the deadline falls at the start of the final nine months of the scheme. If the scheme runs for five years without being extended, you'll have about four years and three months to submit your application.

The final nine months are set aside so the Redress Body can finish assessing the applications it has already received. So if you're thinking about applying, don't work towards the five-year date. The practical deadline comes earlier.

Where this comes from in the rules

Rule 4 of the Abuse Redress Rules 2025 reads:

"The date specified under section 7(3) of the Measure as the final date for which an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure may be made is the first day of the final nine months of the period determined under section 7(2) of the Measure."

In plain terms: the deadline for new applications is the first day of the last nine months of the scheme's running time. If the General Synod extends the scheme, the application deadline moves with it.

Not yet. As of June 2026, the Church of England Redress Scheme has not opened. The law creating the scheme has been passed, but the Government has not yet brought Section 7 into force. That is the step that officially starts the application window. Until that happens, applications cannot yet be submitted.

In the meantime, there are two things you can do that may make the process much easier later on:

• Start gathering any information or documents that may support your application
• Speak to a solicitor who specialises in the Church of England Redress Scheme so you understand how the process is likely to work in your situation
• Register your interest

Your first conversation with Winston Solicitors is free, and there is no obligation to go any further.

Our Scheme Updates page will be updated as soon as the opening date is announced.

Although the deadline may seem a long way off, preparing an application often takes longer than people expect.

Many survivors need time to write their personal account. Others need to request medical records, counselling notes or other documents that may help support their application. Older records can sometimes take weeks or months to obtain.

Starting early also gives your solicitor time to make sure your application reflects not only what happened, but also how the abuse has affected your life and whether any aggravating factors apply under the Rules.

Where this comes from in the rules

The assessment framework the redress body applies sits in Schedule 1 and Rule 12 of the Abuse Redress Rules 2025. Rule 12 covers aggravating factors and Schedule 1 sets out how a payment is worked out.

In plain terms: there is a structured process behind the figure, and the detail in it rewards careful preparation. You don't need to wait until the scheme officially opens before having your first conversation with Stacey.

The Church of England Redress Scheme is only one way of seeking redress. A civil claim through the courts follows completely different rules.

Unlike the scheme, civil claims are usually subject to legal time limits. In many cases, that limit is three years, although the courts can sometimes allow older abuse claims to continue depending on the circumstances.

Because of this, some survivors have previously been told that their claim was "out of time." That does not automatically mean you cannot apply to the Church of England Redress Scheme. The scheme has been designed differently and does not impose a time limit based on when the abuse happened.

Where differing time limits come from in the rules

Civil claims for personal injury and abuse are governed by the Limitation Act 1980. The standard limitation period for personal injury is three years from the date of injury, or from the date of knowledge if later. The court has a discretion to lift that limit in some circumstances under section 33 of the Act.

In plain terms: the civil courts have a three-year clock that can sometimes, but not always, be set aside.

The redress scheme is a deliberate move away from all of that. It has no equivalent time limit on the date of the abuse. If your civil claim would now be too late, you may still be able to apply under the scheme.

Where this comes from in the rules

Section 3 of the Abuse Redress Measure 2025 contains no time limit on the date of the abuse.

In plain terms: a claim that is too late for the civil courts can still be in time for the scheme.

If you are considering both options, it's important to understand one key point. Accepting a Redress Scheme award means giving up the right to bring a civil claim for the same abuse.

Where this comes from in the rules

Under Section 11 of the Abuse Redress Measure 2025, accepting a scheme award waives your right to bring a civil claim for the same abuse.

In plain terms: you can pursue one route or the other, but not both for the same abuse.

The team at Winston Solicitors works with survivors of clergy abuse from across England and Wales, with over 4,000 five-star reviews across the firm’s wider work. We focus specifically on the Church of England Redress Scheme route rather than general abuse litigation, which is why Stacey can give you an honest read on how the timing rules affect your case, in plain English, before you decide on anything.