If you have been injured in a violent crime and need to contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), it is essential to use the correct address. CICA relocated to new premises in Glasgow in April 2024, and using outdated contact details may delay your claim. This guide sets out the current postal address, telephone numbers and contact information for CICA across England, Scotland and Wales, alongside separate details for Northern Ireland, which operates under a different compensation scheme.

Current CICA Address and Contact Details

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority relocated to a new address on 2 April 2024. The agency now operates from 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ, United Kingdom.

CICA handles claims for victims of violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995. The organisation employs around 300 staff based in Glasgow and processes over 40,000 claims every year, paying more than £150 million to victims of violent crime.

Telephone Contact

You can contact CICA by phone on 0300 003 3601 if calling from the United Kingdom. For callers outside the UK, the international number is +44 (0)203 684 2517.

Opening times are Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm. The phone number and DX address remained unchanged when CICA moved premises.

When to Use This Address

Use the current Glasgow address for:

  • Submitting new criminal injuries compensation applications
  • Sending additional evidence or documents for an existing claim
  • Postal correspondence about your claim
  • Queries that cannot be resolved by telephone

Most new applications are now submitted through the online claim portal, but postal correspondence should be directed to the Clyde Place address.

What this means for you: If you are preparing to submit documents or correspondence to CICA, always use the current Glasgow address. Letters sent to the previous address may not reach CICA promptly, which could delay your claim or cause you to miss important deadlines. Check that any pre-printed forms or guidance documents you are using show the updated address.

Northern Ireland: Separate Compensation Scheme

Northern Ireland does not fall within CICA's remit. Victims of violent crime in Northern Ireland must apply to a separate body under the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.

The address for Compensation Services in Northern Ireland is:

5th Floor, Queen's Court
56–66 Upper Queen Street
Belfast BT1 6FD
United Kingdom

If your injury occurred in Northern Ireland, you must contact Compensation Services directly rather than CICA in Glasgow. The two schemes operate independently, with different application processes and eligibility rules.

What CICA Does

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. It pays compensation to people who have been physically or mentally injured because of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales, or in an act of terror abroad.

CICA operates under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. There have been four iterations of the scheme, introduced in 1996, 2001, 2008 and 2012 (the last was amended in 2020). All new applications are assessed under the amended 2012 Scheme.

Eligibility and Time Limits

To be eligible for compensation through CICA, you must generally:

  • Have been injured in a violent crime
  • Report the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable
  • Submit your application within two years of the date of the incident

Exceptions to the two-year time limit may be granted in some circumstances, such as when the applicant was a child at the time of the injury or where there are other compelling reasons for the delay.

Types of Injury Covered

CICA can award compensation for:

  • Physical injuries sustained in a violent crime
  • Mental injuries resulting from a violent crime, including witnessing violence
  • Sexual or physical abuse
  • Loss of earnings if you were unable to work due to your injuries
  • Special expenses such as medical costs not covered by the NHS

Compensation is calculated using a tariff system. Awards range from lower-value injuries through to more serious harm. Each injury is assigned to a band, and compensation is determined according to the severity and long-term impact of the injury.

Appealing a CICA Decision

If you disagree with the decision CICA has made on your claim, you have the right to request a review and, if necessary, to appeal to an independent tribunal.

First Step: Request a Review

You must first ask CICA to review its decision. You should set out clearly why you believe the decision was wrong, and provide any additional evidence that supports your case. CICA will reconsider the application in light of your representations.

Second Step: Appeal to the Tribunal

If you remain dissatisfied after the review, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). The tribunal is independent of CICA and hears appeals from applicants in England, Scotland and Wales.

The tribunal's contact details are:

The Glasgow Tribunals Centre
20 York Street
Glasgow G2 8GT
United Kingdom

Email: CIC.enquiries@justice.gov.uk

The tribunal will consider whether CICA applied the scheme correctly and whether the decision was reasonable on the evidence available. You may represent yourself or instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf at the tribunal hearing.

Practical Guidance for Claimants

Keep Copies of Everything

Retain copies of all documents you send to CICA, including application forms, medical evidence, police reference numbers and any correspondence. If documents go missing in the post, you will need to provide replacements quickly to avoid delays.

Use Recorded Delivery

Consider sending important documents by recorded or special delivery so that you have proof of postage and delivery. This is particularly important if you are approaching a deadline, such as the two-year time limit for submitting a claim.

Follow Up in Writing

If you telephone CICA, make a note of the date, time and name of the person you spoke to, and follow up in writing to confirm what was discussed. Email or postal confirmation creates a paper trail that can be helpful if any dispute arises later.

Check Eligibility Before You Apply

Review the CICA scheme rules carefully before submitting your application. Some categories of injury or incident are excluded, and there are strict conditions around reporting the crime to the police and cooperating with the investigation.

Seek Advice if You Are Unsure

If you are uncertain whether you qualify for compensation, or if your claim has been refused and you are considering an appeal, you may benefit from legal advice. Many solicitors offer free initial consultations, and legal aid may be available for appeals to the tribunal in some cases.

Common Reasons for Delayed or Rejected Claims

Failure to Report the Crime Promptly

CICA expects applicants to report the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. If you delayed reporting without good reason, your claim may be reduced or refused.

Unspent Criminal Convictions

CICA may reduce or refuse compensation if you have unspent convictions. The authority takes the view that public funds should not reward individuals who have themselves engaged in criminal behaviour. The decision depends on the nature and timing of the conviction.

Lack of Cooperation

If you fail to cooperate with the police investigation or refuse to provide information requested by CICA, your claim may be refused. Full cooperation is a condition of eligibility under the scheme.

Applying Outside the Time Limit

Claims must generally be submitted within two years of the date of the incident. Late applications are considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as where the applicant was a child at the time or where mental injury prevented earlier application.

Other Relevant Addresses and Agencies

Ministry of Justice

CICA is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, which has overall policy responsibility for the criminal injuries compensation scheme. The Ministry does not handle individual claims, but it is responsible for the legislation and scheme rules that govern CICA's work.

Victim Support

Victim Support is an independent charity that provides free and confidential help to victims of crime across England and Wales. The organisation can offer emotional support, practical advice and information about the criminal injuries compensation process. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own victim support charities.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Police and Crime Commissioners (in England and Wales) and the Scottish Police Authority have responsibilities for victim services in their areas. They do not process CICA claims but can signpost victims to appropriate support and advocacy services.

Changes to the CICA Scheme

The criminal injuries compensation scheme is reviewed periodically by the government. The most recent substantive review concluded in 2020, resulting in amendments to the 2012 scheme. Those amendments came into force in 2020 and apply to all applications submitted since that date.

Potential claimants should ensure they are reviewing the current version of the scheme rules, as outdated guidance may no longer reflect the eligibility criteria, tariff levels or procedural requirements in force today.

Future Reviews

The Ministry of Justice conducts triennial reviews of its executive agencies, including CICA. These reviews assess whether the agency remains fit for purpose and whether its functions could be delivered more effectively. Any significant changes resulting from future reviews will be published on GOV.UK.

Jurisdiction and Devolution

The criminal injuries compensation scheme applies across Great Britain, covering England, Scotland and Wales under a single set of rules. Despite devolution of some justice functions to Scotland and Wales, criminal injuries compensation remains a reserved matter under the control of the UK Parliament and Ministry of Justice.

Northern Ireland's scheme is a devolved matter. The Northern Ireland Department of Justice has responsibility for the compensation scheme in that jurisdiction, and the rules may differ from those in Great Britain. If your injury occurred in Northern Ireland, you must apply to Compensation Services in Belfast using the address given earlier in this guide.

Making a Claim Online

While this guide focuses on the postal address for CICA, most applicants now apply online. The digital claim service allows you to complete your application, upload supporting documents and track the progress of your claim.

The online service is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. Guidance is provided at each stage of the application. If you start an application online, you can save your progress and return to it later.

Postal applications are still accepted for applicants who cannot access the online service or who prefer to apply by post.

Summary

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority address changed in April 2024. The current address is 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ. CICA can also be contacted by telephone on 0300 003 3601 (UK) or +44 (0)203 684 2517 (international), Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm.

CICA administers the criminal injuries compensation scheme in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland operates a separate scheme, and correspondence for Northern Ireland claims should be sent to 5th Floor, Queen's Court, 56–66 Upper Queen Street, Belfast BT1 6FD.

If you disagree with a CICA decision, you can request a review and, if necessary, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation) at The Glasgow Tribunals Centre, 20 York Street, Glasgow G2 8GT.

Always keep copies of documents you send, use recorded delivery for important correspondence, and seek legal advice if you are unsure about your eligibility or the strength of your claim.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-02

Sources

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority address and claims process. It is not legal advice. The rules governing criminal injuries compensation are complex, and eligibility depends on the specific facts of each case. If you are considering making a claim or appealing a decision, you should review the current scheme rules on GOV.UK or seek advice from a solicitor experienced in criminal injuries compensation. Time limits apply to claims and appeals, and missing a deadline may prevent you from receiving compensation. Always check that you are using the most up-to-date contact details and scheme guidance before submitting documents or correspondence to CICA.