CICA Compensation
Expert Witness Reports
Our chambers prepares CPR Part 35-compliant psychiatric reports for criminal injury compensation claims under the 2012 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme. Our reports address diagnosis, causation, and prognosis in line with the criminal injuries compensation tariff, supporting applications for both minor and complex trauma cases.
The expert evidence required for
CICA psychiatric claims.
Our chambers prepares psychiatric reports for criminal injuries compensation authority claims, addressing the specific requirements of the 2012 CICA scheme. These reports establish recognised psychiatric injury, link it to the criminal act, and assess prognosis under the criminal injuries compensation tariff.
Members of our chambers hold GMC Specialist Register status and MRCPsych qualifications, ensuring compliance with CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35. Our reports are structured to meet the evidential thresholds of the criminal injuries compensation authority, supporting applications for both adult and minor claimants.
Three stages where a CICA
psychiatric report is critical.
Initial CICA application
Our reports support the initial application to the criminal injuries compensation authority, establishing the psychiatric injury and its link to the criminal act. This evidence is critical for meeting the scheme’s evidential thresholds and avoiding early rejection.
Internal review stage
Where the criminal injuries compensation authority rejects the initial claim, our reports provide the detailed psychiatric evidence required for the internal review. The report addresses any gaps in the initial submission and reinforces the causation case.
Appeal to First-tier Tribunal
For claims proceeding to appeal, our reports meet the evidential standards of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber). The report is structured to address the tribunal’s requirements under the 2012 CICA scheme and CPR Part 35.
What a CICA psychiatric report
contains, section by section.
Expert qualifications
GMC Specialist Register status, MRCPsych qualification, and the expert’s experience in criminal injuries compensation authority claims. The report includes the expert’s declaration of independence under CPR 35.3.
Background & history
Personal, social, and psychiatric history before the criminal act, establishing the pre-morbid baseline. The section includes any relevant medical or social care records reviewed.
Account of the incident
The claimant’s account of the criminal act, recorded in their own words. The expert’s clinical observations on the consistency and coherence of the account are documented where relevant.
Mental state examination
The clinical examination conducted, including standardised instruments such as the PCL-5 or IES-R where clinically indicated. Diagnostic findings under ICD-11 or DSM-5-TR are presented with reasoning.
Causation opinion
The expert’s reasoned opinion on the link between the criminal act and the claimant’s psychiatric injury. The section addresses any alternative explanations and aligns with the criminal injuries compensation tariff.
Prognosis & treatment
The expected future course of the claimant’s condition, including recommended treatment and its likely impact. This section informs the quantum assessment under the CICA scheme.
Statement of truth
The CPR Part 35-compliant declaration, signed statement of truth, and confirmation of the expert’s overriding duty to the court. The section includes the expert’s acknowledgement of the 2012 CICA scheme requirements.
How the CICA psychiatric
assessment is conducted.
Our experts follow a transparent methodology to ensure the report meets the evidential standards of the criminal injuries compensation authority. Each step is documented to support the reasoning from instruction to opinion.
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01
Records review
Full review of GP, hospital, mental health, and police records where available. Material entries are identified and referenced in the report to support the diagnostic and causation reasoning.
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02
Clinical interview
Structured trauma-informed interview, typically lasting 2–3 hours. The assessment is conducted at a venue and pace appropriate to the claimant’s needs, with breaks as required.
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03
Standardised instruments
Where clinically indicated, instruments such as the PCL-5, IES-R, or BDI-II are administered. The selection and rationale for each instrument are documented in the report.
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04
Symptom validity
Symptom validity is addressed where concerns are raised, ensuring the report remains within the expert’s remit under CPR Part 35 and the criminal injuries compensation authority guidelines.
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05
Formulation & opinion
The clinical formulation links the criminal act, the claimant’s pre-morbid baseline, and the current presentation. The opinion on diagnosis, causation, and prognosis is clearly reasoned and aligned with the CICA tariff.
Every type of criminal injury
claim requiring psychiatric evidence.
Our chambers accepts instructions for CICA psychiatric reports across all categories of criminal injury claims. Our experts are experienced in addressing the specific requirements of the criminal injuries compensation authority scheme.
Questions from
solicitors instructing us.
What is the typical turnaround for a CICA psychiatric report?
Three to six weeks. Most instructions are allocated to an expert within 48 hours, and the assessment is scheduled within four weeks of full records being received. The report is typically delivered within two weeks of the assessment.
Do your reports comply with the criminal injuries compensation authority scheme?
Yes. Our reports are structured to meet the evidential requirements of the 2012 CICA scheme, including alignment with the criminal injuries compensation tariff and the specific thresholds for psychiatric injury claims.
Can your experts assess both adult and minor claimants?
Yes. Members of our chambers include consultants with expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as adult psychiatry. We ensure the expert’s qualifications match the claimant’s age and presentation.
Are remote assessments acceptable for CICA claims?
Where clinically appropriate. Secure video assessments are accepted by the criminal injuries compensation authority for many cases. For complex trauma or minor claimants, we typically recommend in-person assessment.
Will the expert respond to queries from the CICA or tribunal?
Yes. Our experts respond to queries from the criminal injuries compensation authority or the First-tier Tribunal under CPR Part 35.6, ensuring the report remains compliant and robust throughout the process.
How are fees structured for CICA psychiatric reports?
Fixed or hourly. Fees are quoted at intake and structured based on the complexity of the case. Fixed fees are available for standard instructions, with hourly rates applied for more complex or urgent matters.
Need a CICA psychiatric
report for your case?
Send a brief case summary — claimant details, criminal act, procedural stage, and any deadlines — and our chambers will confirm availability, scope, and timescales within one working day.