CICA Assessments
Psychiatric Expert Witness Reports
Expert psychiatric evidence for victims of violent crime seeking compensation through the CICA scheme. Our psychiatric and psychological experts provide detailed assessments of disabling mental injury, trauma, and functional impact for solicitors representing applicants in CICA claims and First-Tier Tribunal appeals.
About CICA Compensation Claims
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government agency that manages the compensation scheme for victims of violent crime in Great Britain. Unlike civil litigation, CICA claims are governed by a specific Tariff of Injuries, where mental injury must be diagnosed by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
Violent Crime
- Physical assault
- Robbery with violence
- Arson attacks
- Domestic violence
Sexual Offences
- Sexual assault
- Rape (single or multiple)
- Historic child abuse
- Grooming & exploitation
Mental Injury
- Disabling mental injury
- PTSD diagnosis
- Severe anxiety/depression
- Loss of earnings impact
CICA Scheme
- Fixed Tariff of Injuries
- Disabling mental injury threshold
- No legal costs recovered
- First-Tier Tribunal (Appeals)
Civil Litigation
- Full tort damages (Judicial College)
- Psychiatric injury (Dulieu test)
- Legal costs usually recoverable
- County or High Court
When CICA Psychiatric Evidence Is Required
Psychiatric expert evidence is frequently instructed in CICA proceedings for the following purposes:
Disabling Mental Injury
The CICA requires proof of a mental injury that has a significant impact on the applicant’s daily life, work, or social functioning.
Tariff Level Appeals
Expert opinion to challenge a low-tariff award by demonstrating a more severe psychiatric diagnosis or longer-lasting impairment.
PTSD & Trauma
Specialist diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD resulting from violent crime or sexual assault.
Historic Abuse Claims
Psychiatric assessment of long-term psychological damage and delayed disclosure in historic childhood sexual abuse cases.
First-Tier Tribunal
Providing expert evidence and oral testimony at Tribunal hearings to appeal CICA decisions on eligibility or award value.
Loss of Earnings
Expert opinion on whether a mental injury prevents the applicant from working, which is a requirement for loss of earnings payments.
Types of CICA Psychiatric Reports
Initial Tariff Assessment
Purpose: Establish a formal diagnosis and determine the appropriate Tariff band.
Key Questions: Does the mental injury meet the ‘disabling’ threshold? What is the prognosis?
Legal Test: CICA 2012 Scheme criteria for mental injury awards.
Tribunal Appeal Report
Purpose: Challenge a CICA decision at the First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber).
Contents: Re-assessment of severity, review of medical records, oral evidence if required.
Disposals: Increase in Tariff level or reversal of eligibility decision.
Sexual Abuse Assessment
Purpose: Evaluate the cumulative psychological impact of sexual violence or historic abuse.
Requirements: Trauma-informed assessment of PTSD, Complex PTSD, and personality impact.
Our Role: Sensitive clinical interview, diagnosis, and mapping to CICA sexual offence bands.
Work Capacity Review
Purpose: Support claims for loss of earnings or special expenses.
Covers: Functional impairment preventing work for more than 28 weeks.
Outcome: Expert opinion on work capability following the criminal injury.
Historic Abuse Report
Purpose: Assess psychological harm in cases where the abuse occurred years or decades ago.
Covers: Long-term impact on life trajectory, mental health history, and current impairment.
Context: Essential for demonstrating the severity of childhood trauma in adult applicants.
Need a Tribunal expert?
Contact Triage TeamCICA Tariff Awards for Mental Injury
| Tariff Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Minor Mental Injury | Temporary mental injury with limited impact on daily life |
| Moderate Mental Injury | Significant mental injury affecting work or social life |
| Serious Mental Injury | Severe mental injury (e.g., PTSD) with major life impact |
| Sexual Offence Bands | Awards based on the nature of the offence and psychological impact |
Which Expert for CICA Claims?
Clinical Psychologist
Best for PTSD & Trauma
- Specialist trauma psychometrics
- Functional impact assessment
- Detailed PTSD/C-PTSD diagnosis
Why: CICA often prefers psychological assessments for trauma and functional disability.
Consultant Psychiatrist
For medical complexity
- Severe psychotic presentations
- Medication history review
- Complex co-morbidities
Why: Necessary where medical diagnosis or medication impact is central to the claim.
Child & Adolescent
For Under 18s
- Child abuse assessments
- Developmental trauma
- Educational impact evaluation
Our Process
Urgent Instruction
Contact us with case details — we understand deadlines
Expert Match
We identify available Section 12 approved psychiatrist
Rapid Assessment
Face-to-face or video assessment (often within days)
Report Delivered
Written report provided to meet court deadline
Court Attendance
Expert available for oral evidence if required
Hospital Liaison
For S.37 cases, we assist with bed finding
Turnaround Times
| Report Type | Standard | Urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Initial CICA | 4–6 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Tribunal Appeal | 4 weeks | 1–4 days |
| Tariff Review | 3–4 weeks | 1 week |
| Historic Abuse | 4–6 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Work Capacity | 3–4 weeks | 1 week |
Funding Options
Legal Aid (LAA)
LAA rates accepted for Tribunal appeals. Prior authority support.
Private Funding
Competitive fixed fees for initial assessments and reports.
Deferred Payment
Available in selected cases where settlement is likely.
Legal Framework
All reports comply with the CICA 2012 Scheme requirements and First-Tier Tribunal rules, addressing the specific criteria for ‘disabling mental injury’ and tariff mapping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a ‘disabling mental injury’ for CICA?
Under the 2012 Scheme, a disabling mental injury is a psychiatric condition (such as PTSD, clinical depression, or anxiety) that significantly impairs an applicant’s ability to carry out daily tasks, work, or maintain social relationships for at least 28 weeks. It must be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
Can I appeal a CICA decision if they say I don’t have a mental injury?
Yes. If the CICA rejects your claim on the basis that no mental injury is present, or awards a lower tariff than expected, you can request a Review and then appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal. A specialist psychiatric report is often the key evidence needed to overturn these decisions.
How much compensation is awarded for mental injury?
CICA mental injury awards are fixed by the Tariff. They range from approximately £1,000 for minor injury to £27,000 for the most serious disabling injuries. Sexual offence awards are separate and can be higher depending on the offence band and psychological impact.
Do I need a psychiatrist or a psychologist for my CICA claim?
Both are accepted by the CICA. Clinical psychologists are often preferred for PTSD and trauma assessments as they use specialized psychometric testing. Psychiatrists are preferred if there are complex medical issues or where the applicant is on significant psychiatric medication.
Can you assess historic abuse victims for CICA claims?
Yes. Our experts are highly experienced in assessing the long-term psychological damage of historic sexual or physical abuse. We understand the complexities of delayed disclosure and the lifelong impact of childhood trauma on adult functioning.
Will the expert attend my Tribunal hearing?
Yes. If your case goes to a First-Tier Tribunal appeal, our experts are available to give oral evidence. This can be vital in explaining the nuances of your diagnosis and functional impairment to the Tribunal panel.
What documents do you need for a CICA assessment?
We typically require your full GP records, any hospital psychiatric records, the CICA decision letter, and a summary of the incident(s) from your solicitor. Having comprehensive records allows the expert to provide a more robust opinion on causation.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
We can usually arrange an assessment within 7–14 days of receiving instructions. For urgent Tribunal deadlines, we can often expedite the process to provide a report within a few days of the assessment.
Need a Psychiatric Report for a CICA Claim?
Specialist assessments for disabling mental injury. Expert evidence for Tribunal appeals. CVs and quotes in 60 minutes.
