Our difference: Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and our work with Justice & Care

For many human trafficking and modern slavery survivors, seeking compensation through the courts is not viable and their only option is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). We work with Justice & Care, and other charities, to make applications on behalf of survivors to obtain financial compensation and acknowledgement of the harm suffered.

Recent research found that, despite 51,193 modern slavery cases being reported to the Home Office between January 2021 and May 2024, only 133 survivors applied for compensation through CICA in that time. Data for January 2023 to June 2024 showed that at least 82% of survivors who did make an application, were denied any compensation (The final piece of the puzzle": Information sheet on modern slavery + compensation (CICA), After Exploitation, second edition, 22 July 2024 (After Exploitation - Information sheet - Modern slavery + compensation (CICA) - July 2024 - Second edition).

After years without pay, survivors are often facing destitution and, although legal advice is almost always necessary to navigate the complex CICA scheme, applications are out of legal aid's scope. Our work seeks to redress this.

51,193

51,193 modern slavery cases reported to the Home Office between January 2021 and May 2024

133

Only 133 survivors applied for compensation through CICA in that time

82%

At least 82% of survivors who did make an application, were denied any compensation

(The final piece of the puzzle": Information sheet on modern slavery + compensation (CICA), After Exploitation, second edition, 22 July 2024 (After Exploitation - Information sheet - Modern slavery + compensation (CICA) - July 2024 - Second edition)

We have a long history of winning compensation for trafficking survivors from CICA. Clients come to us through various referral agencies, but most often via our longstanding partnership with the charity, Justice & Care. We have also applied our growing expertise to assist our other pro bono clients with CICA applications, including domestic abuse clients that we work with through the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance.

We prepare applications on clients’ behalf, supported by the best possible evidence, and provide end-to-end guidance throughout. This involves managing a wide variety of stakeholders like the police, specialist medics (that we instruct and raise funds to pay for), interpreters, and victim navigators.

Each award we have secured for these brave survivors had had a transformative effect. It allows them to rebuild their lives, educate themselves and their children, and start afresh. Not only is the compensation life-changing in providing the victims with much-needed security after financial exploitation, but it serves as recognition of the crimes that our clients have suffered. We have seen this bear out in the over £120,000 we have already won for clients of this nature this decade. There is typically a long period of time between submitting the CICA application and CICA's determination (often up to two years), and we expect to see further awards made for our trafficking and domestic abuse clients in coming months.

What sets Sam and the team apart is not only technical excellence, but extraordinary empathy. Survivors frequently tell us how seen, heard and believed they felt when working with them. They bring a blend of legal rigour and humanity that cannot be taught they anticipate needs, approach each case with care, and consistently show survivors that they are worth fighting for.

I am very grateful and words are not enough to thank you for everything you’ve done. I am very relieved that this is all over and I can now continue to rebuild my life.

Working with your team has been an absolute highlight of my time working to support survivors. I cannot thank you enough for the incredible work you have put into making [the client's] CICA claim as strong as it possibly can be. I know the end result has the potential to be life changing for her, so thank you!

Working on this project has been deeply meaningful, offering a unique opportunity to support a survivor of human trafficking in seeking justice and redress. Assisting our client as she navigates the aftermath of such a traumatic ordeal has been both challenging and profoundly fulfilling and is a great example of the firm's commitment to advocating for vulnerable individuals and the critical importance of pro bono work in addressing complex injustices.