The scheme has strict eligibility rules covering reporting to the police, cooperation with the investigation, previous convictions and time limits. We advise on eligibility, prepare applications and challenge decisions through review and appeal where appropriate.
Can I Make a Claim?
- You were the direct victim of a crime of violence in England, Wales or Scotland.
- The incident was reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable.
- You have cooperated with the police investigation and with the scheme.
- The application is generally made within two years of the incident, with limited discretion to extend.
Situations We Are Instructed On
- Physical assault, wounding and grievous bodily harm
- Sexual offences and historic abuse, where different reporting rules apply
- Injuries suffered while intervening to prevent a crime
- Domestic abuse resulting in physical or psychological injury
- Bereavement following a fatal criminal act
- Psychological injury caused by a violent crime
What Compensation Could I Claim?
- A tariff award for the injury, set out in the scheme's published tables
- Loss of earnings after the first 28 weeks, subject to the scheme's rules and caps
- Special expenses in qualifying cases, such as care, equipment or treatment
- Bereavement and dependency payments where a death has occurred
- Awards for psychological injury supported by clinical evidence
What can be recovered in any individual case depends on the medical evidence and on the losses that can be proved. We do not estimate figures before that evidence is available.
Evidence That Helps
- The police crime reference number and investigation details
- Medical records evidencing the injuries sustained
- Evidence of loss of earnings for the relevant period
- Any court outcome, though a conviction is not essential
- Psychological or psychiatric evidence where relevant
How Long Could the Claim Take?
Scheme applications typically take many months, and longer where the police investigation or criminal proceedings are ongoing, because the authority may await the outcome. Reviews and appeals extend the process further.
No Win No Fee Funding for This Type of Claim
A No Win No Fee agreement — known in law as a conditional fee agreement — is a written contract between you and your solicitor. Under it, our fee for the legal work becomes payable only if your claim is successful. It is a way of funding a claim without paying our costs up front. It is not a promise about the outcome of your case, and it is not available in every matter.
How a No Win No Fee agreement works
- Assessment first. We review the facts, the likely evidence and your prospects before deciding whether we can offer this type of funding.
- If the claim succeeds. The opponent is usually ordered or agrees to pay a substantial part of your legal costs. A success fee — a percentage uplift on our charges, capped by law in personal injury work — is deducted from your compensation. The percentage will be stated in your agreement before you sign it.
- If the claim does not succeed. You would not pay our fee for the legal work covered by the agreement. You may still be responsible for certain disbursements and, in some circumstances, the opponent’s costs, which is why insurance arrangements are discussed with you at the outset.
- Deductions and other costs. Expenses such as medical reports, court fees, expert evidence and any insurance premium are dealt with separately. We will explain which of these may be deducted from your damages and how they are calculated.
- Alternatives. You may already have legal expenses cover through a household, motor or credit card policy, or through a trade union. We will ask about this because it may be a better option for you.
Who may be eligible
Eligibility depends on the individual case, including whether another party appears to be legally responsible, whether the injury and losses can be evidenced, and whether the claim is brought in time. Some claims are not suitable for this form of funding. We will tell you honestly if we cannot act on this basis, and explain the alternatives that may be open to you.
The exact terms — including the success fee percentage, the disbursements involved and what would happen if the claim were unsuccessful — are set out in writing and explained to you before you decide whether to proceed. Nothing on this page is a guarantee about the outcome of a claim or a statement that any particular funding arrangement will be available. Please take advice about your own circumstances.
Speaking to a No Win No Fee Solicitor
The first conversation is an assessment, not a commitment. A solicitor will listen to what happened, identify who may be legally responsible and consider what evidence is likely to be available. In the context of criminal injury claims, that usually means looking closely at how the incident occurred, what records exist and how your injury has affected your work and daily life.
Once we understand the case, we can discuss funding. Where a conditional fee arrangement is appropriate, we will explain the terms, the deductions and the risks in writing so that you can make an informed decision. Where it is not appropriate, we will say so and set out any alternative route available to you, including existing insurance cover or union support. Either way, you will know where you stand before any work begins.
Criminal Injury Claims FAQs
- Does the attacker need to be convicted?
- No. A conviction helps, but the scheme can make an award where the evidence shows a crime of violence occurred and the eligibility rules are met.
- Can previous convictions affect my award?
- Yes. Unspent convictions can reduce or prevent an award under the scheme's rules, depending on the offence and sentence.
- How does funding work for these applications?
- The scheme's approach to costs differs from a civil claim, so funding is explained separately and in writing before any work begins.
- Can I apply for a historic assault?
- Time limits are strict, but discretion exists in some cases, particularly for offences reported later for understandable reasons.
Speak to our team
Tell us what happened and we will assess the claim and explain the funding options that may be available to you, in writing, before you decide how to proceed.