Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) continues to facilitate bereaved families applying to the state where the crime occurred; and whether the EU Compensation Application Team (EUCAT) continues to exist within CICA to facilitate applications in a foreign language.

EU Directive 2004/80/EC provides for EU Member States to have reciprocal compensation schemes for victims of violent crime or other persons affected by such a crime. Under the requirements of the Directive, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) provided support to British citizens seeking to apply for compensation from EU Member States through its EU Compensation Assistance Team (EUCAT).

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in December 2020 any such agreements have now ended. The 1983 Council of Europe Convention on compensation for victims of violent crimes (‘the Convention’) remains applicable and has requirements in place for assisting victims of violent crime. Where the crime was committed in an EU Member State, UK victims of violent and bereaved families may be eligible to apply to the compensation scheme in that State, under the Convention.

CICA’s EUCAT continues to exist and where the application was received on or prior to 31 December 2020, provides support to British citizens (including bereaved families) applying to the state where the crime occurred and assists with applications in a foreign language. Where the applicant meets the basic eligibility criteria this includes providing the appropriate application form and information about how to complete this, providing guidance on any supporting material which is necessary, forwarding the completed application form to the relevant authority where the injury occurred and providing information on how to respond to requests for further information. The EUCAT also facilitates the translation of documents where applications are made in a foreign language. CICA no longer provides this support for any applications received after 31 December 2020 following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Under the 2012 Criminal Injuries Scheme, EU and EEA nationals can continue to apply for compensation in the UK, including those not party to the convention.