Stephen Climie and Ben Bradley achieve substantial CICA award for Australian national

Two members of Chambers (instructed by Rebecca Dixon of Stewarts Law LLP) have recently been involved in assisting an Australian national to obtain a significant award before the First-Tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). The Appellant was injured in an unprovoked attack in London in 2004, which caused the client to suffer a brain injury.

The CICA had initially contended that the Appellant was not entitled to any form of award at all by reason of his alleged conduct prior to the incident. Stephen Climie represented the Appellant at the eligibility hearing. Having heard evidence from the original officer in the case, the Tribunal concluded that the Appellant was subjected to an unprovoked attack, and as such was entitled to a full award.

Ben Bradley represented the Appellant at the quantum stage of proceedings. The CICA contended that the appropriate award was c.£18,000. The claim involved complicated issues relating to the Appellant’s likely career progression in the Australian private banking sector but-for the injury, and required an understanding of Australian employer-contribution pensions, there being a significant claim for pension loss. Despite the CICA’s contentions, the Tribunal awarded the Appellant an amount just under £300,000.

Ben regularly represents seriously injured clients in CICA proceedings. In the past 18 months, Ben has assisted clients to obtain combined awards of c.£1.9m in claims under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

News 21 Aug, 2013