Appeal a CICA decision regarding compensation

HNK Solicitors can help you appeal a decision made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Our expert CICA solicitors can help you to get the compensation you deserve to help you move on with your life after you have fallen victim to a violent crime.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rejects or refuses to award compensation on a high volume of all submitted claims. In a lot of cases where compensation is awarded, the CICA regularly make the wrong decision, which results in the level of compensation awarded being far too low.

If you have submitted a review application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and you are still unhappy with the decision you have received or the reasoning behind this, you can then launch an appeal. HNK Solicitors has a team of dedicated criminal injury solicitors who can help you prepare an appeal and represent you at an appeal hearing. At this stage, expert legal advice is crucial to getting the outcome you desire.

Many applicants who do not already have a representative may wish to elect one if their claim and review application have been refused, or they believe their award is too low, to assist them with an appeal. Our expert CICA solicitors can help those who believe their compensation is too low or those who believe their claim has been unfairly rejected to launch an appeal against the CICA’s decision, even if you did not originally seek our help with your CICA application or CICA review.

How can HNK help with appeal a CICA decision

How the CICA appeal process works:

If your criminal injuries compensation claim has been rejected or undervalued, and you have applied for a review and you still do not agree with the decision, the next step is to start an appeal. The appeal is made to the First-Tier Tribunal, and the Tribunal Service is not part of the CICA. It is an independent body who is responsible for ensuring that CICA decisions are fair, correct, and properly implement the law.

Your CICA appeal must be made within 90 days of receiving the final review decision letter. This time can be extended, but only if you request an extension based on good reasons and it is fair to do so, for example, if your application requires further medical reports which must be assessed before a decision to make an appeal is made.

HNK Solicitors team of expert criminal injury solicitors can help you to prepare an appeal to the Tribunal. At this stage, expert legal advice is crucial. You cannot appeal a decision simply because you are unhappy with the amount of your award. To successfully appeal, you must explain why you think the CICA has misunderstood the law on the facts of your case.

Often the CICA will disagree with your appeal and present its own response. If so, you will have another month to submit any other documentation and respond to the points made by the CICA. The Tribunal will look at your appeal and the CICA’s response. If the Tribunal believes you do not have an arguable case, they will dismiss your appeal on the papers, but if they believe you do have an arguable case, they will invite you to a hearing before a Judge to explain your arguments.

HNK Solicitors can assist you with the preparation of your appeal and we can also represent you at any appeal hearings. If the Tribunal decides your case should have a hearing, they will inform an applicant via writing and they will provide a hearing time and day as soon as an appropriate venue is available.

The hearing usually involves a representative from the CICA to explain the reasoning behind their decision, and at least 2 representatives from the Tribunal. They will ask questions and will allow the applicant to present their case. If you are successful in your appeal, the Tribunal will send the case back to the CICA for them to continue their process.

HNK Solicitors can help you gain justice.

Case Study

Young woman sat at a table in fear of domestic abuse, with a clenched fist in the foreground

HNK Solicitors secure client £22,000 in CICA claim

If you have been the innocent victim of a violent crime, then you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Here at Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors we have a team of expert lawyers who have a wide range of experience in dealing with applications for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Our dedicated team of lawyers will fight to secure the compensation you deserve whilst making the process as easy and stress free...

HNK Solicitors can help you appeal a CICA decision:

Having a legal representative increases the likelihood of your Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) appeal succeeding. Our expert criminal injury solicitors understand the CICA’s process and the criteria and deadlines that are required to be met, so they know the best steps on how to proceed with your appeal and are much more likely to get you the outcome you deserve.

As leading criminal injury compensation solicitors, HNK Solicitors have an excellent record on receiving successful appeal decisions at Tribunal. In many cases, we have succeeded in obtaining an increased award for an applicant or in arguing that the applicant is eligible for an award where they previously had been rejected.

If you have been dealing with your application to the CICA without legal representation and feel you have reached the stage where you need legal assistance in making an appeal, HNK Solicitors offer free no-obligation consultations where we are more than happy to look over the details of your case with a view to taking your claim on. In many cases, we can offer a no-win, no-fee agreement, so you would not have to pay a penny unless your claim is successful.

We understand this process can be difficult and distressing, but we are here to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. You will be assigned a dedicated case handler who will fight to get the compensation you deserve.

Free Consultation

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation where we will help assess your claim with discretion and sensitivity and offer honest advice.

No-win-no-fee

We can offer a no-win-no-fee service which means it costs you nothing upfront and you only have to pay if your application is successful and you receive compensation. As a standard we charge a set fee of either £500 or 25% Plus VAT (whichever is the greatest) from the compensation you receive. No matter how long your claim takes to conclude, or how much work we have to invest in the matter, our fee remains fixed.

Trained experts

All our criminal injuries lawyers are highly trained to deal with these sensitive cases with care and consideration. They have years of experience in dealing with applications to the CICA and want to help you get the compensation you deserve, so you can rest assured they have your best interests at heart.

FAQ

What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is a government-run scheme which provides the innocent victims of violent crimes who suffer injury or psychological harm with compensation. If you have been the blameless victim of a crime and suffered an injury, you could be entitled to make a compensation claim from the CICA.

How do I start my criminal injury compensation claim appeal?

It is as simple as getting in touch with us and one of our expert criminal injury lawyers will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation in which time they will assess your claim and let you know if they believe you are entitled to launch an appeal.
If we believe you have a strong case, our experts can advise you about how much compensation you can expect, any costs and can even take care of the appeal application process on your behalf, as well as representing you at a hearing if one takes place.

How long will my criminal injury compensation claim appeal take?

This will depend on whether the Tribunal feels it is necessary to hold a hearing or not. If they do not feel they need to hold a hearing, an appeal will usually take around 3 to 6 months starting from the date the Tribunal receives the Notice of Appeal. For CICA appeals that do require a hearing, the hearing will usually be held within 6 to 12 months of receipts of the Notice of Appeal. If a hearing is held, you will usually receive the decision from the Tribunal at the hearing itself.

What if I don’t get the outcome I want from the appeal?

Usually, the decision of the First Tier Tribunal Judge is legally correct and that would be the end of the matter. However, if the decision made by the Tribunals Service is legally flawed, you can appeal to a higher Tribunal, called the Upper Tribunal, for judicial review of the decision.

Before applying for a judicial review, you have to write to the tribunal within one month of the date of the decision with your reasons explaining why you believe the decision was wrong and the alleged error of law. You then have 3 months from the original decision to lodge your application for a judicial review.

At a judicial review, a senior Judge reviews the lawfulness the decision made by the First tier Tribunal. If the Upper Tribunal finds that the decision of the First Tier Tribunal is legally incorrect, then it will send the case back to the CICA and request it makes another decision, in the legally correct way. HNK Solicitors can help you with the preparation of your judicial review application and represent you at the hearing.

How much compensation can I expect to receive?

If you satisfy the criteria, you could be entitled to compensation ranging from £1000 to £500,000, depending on the severity of your injuries.

The compensation depends on the type of injuries you sustained, examples of some of the most common awards received are:

• A strained neck or whiplash lasting more than 13 weeks: £1,000
• Fractured jaw: £1,500
• Significant scarring to the face: £2,400
• Fractured skull requiring an operation: £4,600
• Loss of a front tooth: £1,500
• Funeral payments: a maximum of £5,000
• Bereavement payments: maximum of £11,000
• Repeated rapes over a period exceeding 3 years: £22,000
• Non-penetrative sexual acts over clothing: £1,000

Why do I need a solicitor?

A CICA case can be lengthy, complex and a difficult process to handle. Many innocent victims of crime expect the CICA to be sympathetic and make the process as easy as possible when they apply for compensation. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Having an experienced CICA solicitor can be the difference between a successful or rejected claim and a solicitor is much more likely to get you the amount of compensation you deserve. Our team of highly trained criminal injury lawyers have expert knowledge in CICA cases and a wide range of experience, so they know the best steps on how to proceed. They can also make this process much easier and less stressful for you by guiding you through the process, chasing up and securing any evidence, medical reports, police statements or social services reports which may be needed to support your case. Our lawyers take away the stress of you having to deal with your own application, leaving you to focus on your recovery.

We also have a dedicated team at the CICA who oversees all of the applications we submit on behalf of our clients. This ensures that any applications we submit are dealt with efficiently and promptly. This isn’t a service that is afforded to applicants who apply directly without our assistance, or to all other firms of solicitors.

If the CICA make a decision with regards to your review application, our dedicated lawyers provide you with advice in regards to the merits of the decision. If the CICA make an offer of compensation which is not correct, or if they come back with the same decision to reject your claim, our solicitors can guide you through the process of appealing the decision and represent you at the Tribunal.

Our knowledge of the CICA Scheme 2012 is extensive, this equips our lawyers with the understanding required to challenge any incorrect decision made by the CICA. If the CICA do not put right any incorrect decisions they make, we will represent our clients before the Appeals Tribunal whereby our advocacy skills are put to good use. Such assistance throughout the process isn’t afforded to an unrepresented applicant.

SPEAK TO OUR TEAM

Call us on - 0151 203 1104 | Email us at - enquiries@hnksolicitors.com

Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors

4.5

Based on 183 reviews

review us on

_ MediaNPTGwent

12:25 08 Sep 23

Have sought the help of Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors on a number of cases now, and they've been nothing but attentive and helpful at getting me the best outcome. Would highly recommend

Scott LP

15:09 26 Aug 23

They are lawyers, so $$$ is their only agenda and, thus, when we refused the offer of compensation in favour of a public apology, they ended up defending the perpetrators out of spite. Unethical is an understatement.

Courtney Lviz

10:32 22 Aug 23

I am extremely satisfied with the exceptional service provided by Higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors. Their dedicated work and professionalism in handling my case led to a successful settlement that brought great relief. The team's commitment to excellence is truly impressive, and I appreciate their efforts. I highly recommend their services and am grateful for their support. Thank you, HNK solicitors!- Courtney LV

Anthony Smith

01:43 26 Jul 23

I must have drawn the short straw if all these positive reviews are authentic.My own case was handled mainly by para legals. Who displayed very little skill, or real knowledge of the law, and definitely lacked any kind of commitment. I received only one phone call in the three years it took them to 'resolve ' my case.The treatment I received from this firm was barely adequate. If you are thinking of using HNK my advice is find someone else. Unless you don't mind wasting three years of your life for very little in the way of compensation.

Turner carl

22:34 09 Jul 23

I've learned a lot from life. Even if you are decent, humble, and honest to guys, it doesn't guarantee that they will treat you similarly. I've been married to my spouse for about six years and didn't know he was cheating. I chose to confide in a friend after noticing some changes in his behavior, and they connected me with a hacker by the name of DAVID WILFRED. By remotely hacking and gaining access to his phone call log, Facebook, Messenger messages, phone texts, WhatsApp, Skype, database, and other items, this guy did an amazing and excellent work for me. You can get in touch with this active hacker at (digitaltechhacker @ gmail com).

Kelsea Naismith

21:21 03 Jul 23

My solicitors name was Micheal Wharton, he done an amazing job in helping me with my case. He treated me with empathy, respect, and compassion. He is very understanding and kept me up to date with any updates/changes every step of the way. His communication skills are amazing, and he made me feel at ease when talking about my case and reassured me when I was worried.I would highly recommend Micheal Wharton as your solicitor he is very good at what he does and is very professional at all times whilst providing excellent support and advice.I can't thank Micheal enough for everything he has done for me.

Steph McGowan

13:24 26 Jun 23

Can’t thank Michael enough for doing what he has done for me, he kept updating me on what was happening with the case and I’m very happy with the outcome

Ellen Brown

08:39 31 May 23

Positive service. Treated me with kindness and respect. Didn't make me uncomfortable whilst doing their enquiries.Kept me in the loop at all times and helped me come to a decision that best suited me.Thank you to Michael Wharton for making the effort to help me :)

Al Tommo

20:09 19 May 23

Very good service, couldn’t be happier with how they handled my claim and we also got justice and compensated rightly! 5 stars 10/10 does what it says on the tin thank you to the team at Hicks Newton Kenyon

••

06:45 13 May 23

I was arrested under suspicion of several offences (was not charged with any). This was very Concerning since I was a top law student at the time, gaining a mid 1st for my criminal law work and Human Rights work - The solicitor at this firm involved in my case against the Police clearly knew nothing about criminal law, evidence or HR’s. As none of it happened, I was merely acting within my human rights, hence why the CPS ordered the Police to drop the whole case against me, which they did and with NFA.The solicitor at this firm dealing with my matters should not be a solicitor, as she does not know the law! She was also extremely rude, would not allow me to speak (kept interrupting and talking over me ) was entitled and patronising!I think they updated me just twice in a year!! I will be reporting this firm to the SRA, who are their regulatory body. Absolutely disgusted and a disgrace to the profession.Yes, I was a real client of theirs and this is a bona fida review - I am not at any liberty to give my name, if I don’t wish to.

brian morhan

17:01 26 Apr 23

Absolutely brilliant. They kept me in the loop throughout the process. I am very happy with the result. Very professional team. I would 100 percent recommend them. Thank you Michael.

Gary Jones

18:13 16 Mar 23

A rare combination of a very professional company coupled with excellent staff who are equally caring and understanding in their appraoch, brilliant.Highly recommended.

Dan Malcom

17:27 09 Mar 23

who is michelle mcmahonwhy is hnk solicitors Instagram account full of fake followers bot accounts and purchase to follow accountswhy does hnk solicitors most predominantly deal with cases involving white caucasian males and white caucasian females paying out more within the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands when white but if any other colour race or religion pays out lesshow much much does each solicitors at higgs newton kenyon solicitors make if most cases are worth £5000 with a waiting time of (12) twelve months

Ashley whitehouse

10:11 27 Feb 23

I was assaulted which was a bad experience and left me with a head scar. I decided to use Higgs Newton Kenyon and overall I was impressed with the service they provided me.I was happy with the outcome and I would definitely recommend them.

amber-marie shoemark

16:30 24 Feb 23

Highly recommend using higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors I most definitely got my justice I deserved could not of done it with out Michael support I got the support and help the very first day Michael got in contact with me and all the support carried on all the way to the last day

M Edgerton

13:29 30 Jan 23

I contacted Higgs Newton Kenyon over a distressing experience with the police and feeling very vulnerable. Lynne Hughes helped me with my case and was really understanding and empathetic. It meant a lot to have someone speak for me and the outcome of the case was better than I expected. Thanks to their service I have been able to put this experience behind me and move on.Would recommend.

Charlie Abbott

10:17 30 Jan 23

I received a fantastic, professional service from start to finish. Most importantly I got the justice I deserved due to the hard work of my case handler Lyne Hughes. I would highly recommend Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors.

Aaron McLeod

18:34 15 Nov 22

Fantastic solicitors, they explained everything to me in great detail, I understood everything they said, always kind and well mannered on the phone and email, great experience with them. Will definitely use them again if need be in the future.

Funandplayful carmella

17:48 10 Nov 22

Highly professional & thorough. I'm very happy with the service this firm provided & empathy shown & seeking justice on our behalf thank you for all that worked on my case especially Mrs L Hughes.

robin mohamed

18:27 18 Oct 22

Higgs Newton Kenyon took on my case when others had said they would not. The Paralegal kept me updated as things progressed and I am very impressed with the outcome and the overall handling of my case.Once again thank you for your services and I would highly recommend.

Wonders of London

08:53 23 Sep 22

They helped us with a claim against police for false imprisonment (stop and search). Very happy with the level of service provided and with the settlement achieved. We will now use the money we got to help someone in need here in London.

yard ski

12:33 23 Jul 22

I would recommend HNK solicitors as they offer a first class professional service. Call back's and emails to update me with my case and the staff were excellent. Thank you Helen and the team.

Mohammed Abdelmoniem

16:29 11 Jan 22

Absolutely an amazing firm and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a similar case. I was wrongfully arrested for a crime that I did not do and I approached this firm HNK Solictors for some help and support. After viewing all the evidence, they took the case on. It took a year for the amazing good news to come out. Their hard work and dedication including their professional skills and expertise, has given me the result that I was hoping for. Vivian Lee was amazing and her professional manner in which she dealt with me and the case was remarkable. Well done, Vivian and keep up the good work. Fantastic work!

Ansar Hussain

15:16 24 Nov 21

Absolutely amazing firm took my case on against the police after wrongful arrest and detention. They were very professional,informative and efficient. As I was advised by them that I had a strong chance of success and success is what they delivered. Jessica Smith thank you for all your hard work.

Maddox Xx

12:03 23 Nov 21

Brilliant Firm and people to deal with, Jessica and the team were professional, i could not thank them enough for resolving my case in a timely manner and keeping me updated through out the whole process. Highly recommend them

Jon Barnes

23:17 17 Nov 21

Like to say thank you to the team who help win the case against the police. Very efficient and professional. I will definitely recommend 👌

Vickie Watson

01:38 12 Nov 21

Great solicitors. Michael was very helpful and friendly and I would like to say thank you for his help. Definitely recommend these solicitors. Thank you 🙂🙂

Ciara Beveridge

11:31 10 Nov 21

Very quick to get everything sorted. Would phone me and update me on the progress. Highly recommend

christine stockwell

07:26 30 Sep 21

Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors have been brilliant even through the pandemic, it must be hard to do, they are very informative all the time great value and kind thank you

Frances SJ Finch

10:04 28 Sep 21

I can’t quite put into words how brilliant these solicitors are, they provide a fantastic service and are very gentle when discussing sensitive subjects. Michael has been so incredibly helpful and I would like to send him a massive thanks for everything he has done for me. The receptionist has always also been very polite, friendly and welcoming and I would also like to thank her for supplying a kind atmosphere whenever I have needed to contact the team.

Danny Owen

14:12 09 Aug 21

Highly recommended, I had a claim against the police for an unlawful stop and search and false imprisonment which was has been settled with compensation. I had to put very little effort in and I was kept continually up to date. Vivien Lee dealing with my case could not have been more polite professional and helpful. I won’t be using anyone other than HNK solicitors from now on.

Arome akubo

20:34 04 Aug 21

These guys practically won me some cash from BA data breach case. They initiated it and executed it with utmost professionalism without me breaking a sweat. I fully recommend them without any reservations.

Stephen Johnson

19:02 02 Aug 21

Absolutely amazing helped me get a good result against merseyside police. very quick and professional definitely would recommend them to anyone will use again ..thank you guys

Tuyet Olvestedt

10:06 14 Jul 21

Very attentive and thorough service.They communicate regularly and clearly via phone and email. Would absolutely recommend them.Many thanks

Marie Louise Rothwell

10:51 05 Jul 21

I am very happy with the service I got they were ever so good at dealing with my matter and very polite. They were also very helpful with giving me great advice I would definitely use their services again in the near future I am very happy with the outcome of my case

Stephen Stratton

10:09 28 Jun 21

Following repeated violations and data protections concerns by the police I was able to secure a settlement which I am very happy with. Demi and her team were helpful, professional and informative throughout. I would highly recommend contacting HNK Solicitors for initial advice with any legal matters.

Sandra Williams

11:26 23 Jun 21

After a very Violated experience with the police, my solicitor Demi was there step by step, keeping me up to date with everything. If I ever needed Higgs Newton Kenyon I again I wouldn't hesitate to contact them. Thank you.

Jason Patrick

19:46 10 May 21

I would highly recommend this firm. They have acted on my behalf twice now and have successfully won compensation for both cases. They are a very professional team of solicitors with expansive knowledge of the law. If you want a good result with sound honest advice, then this firm is in my opinion one the best and not afraid to challenge injustice.Thank you,Yours sincerelyJason Patrick

Lauren Jade Dougan

12:47 20 Apr 21

This firm is absolutely amazing. I have been so pleased with how my case was handled and the solicitors kept me informed every step of the way. I am also very pleased with the outcome. I would definitely recommend this firm to anybody.

frederick moore

20:07 08 Apr 21

Excellent company to deal with. Highly professional, responsive to client needs and very thorough. Would recommend.

Megan Maloney

14:05 08 Mar 21

So happy with my results worked with Micheal he won my case couldn’t be any more professional at what he does so happy With the outcome thank you so much Micheal .

Charmaine Galley

14:11 07 Sep 20

I can't thank you all enough for the hard work you put into my case. I'm so very grateful xxx

Jeepaz Creepaz Music

09:45 25 Aug 20

Our go to when one of your artist was wrongfully arrested by the police. They helped us to resolve the issue in a timely fashion.