We reported last year that the ‘Same Roof’ rule under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme was to be reviewed following a Court decision, which had highlighted the unfairness of the rule.
The Same Roof rule currently states that anyone who was living with their attacker at the time of an incident, which took place prior to 1979, was not able to claim compensation from the Scheme.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Same Roof Rule To Be Scrapped
The Ministry of Justice has today laid down a statutory instrument to abolish the Same Roof rule following a number of legal challenges to it and a review by Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which began in September 2018. Assuming that this goes through Parliament unopposed, new and past applicants refused an award can re-apply for compensation. The change to the laws would apply to England, Wales and Scotland.
If you were the victim of a crime by someone you were living with between 1964 and 1979 and that person was convicted of the crime, you may soon be able to make a successful application to the CICA.
How Nelsons Can Help
Dianne Collins and Helen Froggatt are Associates in our expert Personal Injury team.
If you would like some free, confidential advice on your options, please call Dianne or Helen on 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.