When prisoners or offenders are awarded money for wrongs that occur in the corrections or criminal justice systems, victims of their crimes are able to make a claim against that compensation through the Victims’ Special Claims Tribunal. People who have suffered destruction or loss of property, or lost earnings, as a direct result of helping police with a criminal case that is punishable by imprisonment, may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme.

The Victims' Special Claims Tribunal

The Victims' Special Claims Tribunal was established under section 58 of the Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act 2005. 

The tribunal's main function is to make a decision on victims' claims to decide whether victims are entitled to get any compensation that would otherwise be paid to the offender.

The Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme

The Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme was established in 1993 to compensate people who have suffered destruction or loss of property, or lost earnings, as a direct result of helping police with a criminal case that is punishable by imprisonment.

If you make a claim, it’ll be considered by an independent assessor from outside the Ministry of Justice.

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