VICTIMS OUTRAGE
VICTIMS OUTRAGE
Compensation scheme could cap awards
By Una Bradley
COMPENSATION awards for those who lost loved ones in the Troubles could be restricted to just �10,000 if a controversial pay scale used in England is extended to Northern Ireland.
Under the scheme, compensation to relatives of murder victims would have a ceiling of �10,000 - the same figure available to someone who suffers severe burns to their arm.
Loss of a hand is compensated by an award of up to �40,000 - four times the amount available to someone bereaved by a murder.
The Law Society for Northern Ireland today confirmed it had met Victims Commissioner Sir Kenneth Bloomfield in a bid to block the tariff - which was introduced to public outrage in Britain in 1994.
However, legal sources have indicated that Sir Kenneth is "actively considering" extending the tariff to Northern Ireland.
He is currently conducting a top-to-bottom review of the compensation system and is expected to report his recommendations by early spring.
The scheme would mean a flat rate handed out to victims and their families, with no redress through the courts.
Injuries would fall into separate bands with a fixed sum for each one.
And awards would almost always be smaller than those currently meted out through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
A spokesman for the Law Society said their view was that "the present structures and mechanisms of assessment for compensation are correct in principle and essentially sound in practice.
"We are opposed to any change that has the effect of diminishing the individual's rights and entitlements.
'"The Law Society do not believe any form of tariff system will serve the best interests of victims."
Alliance councillor and solicitor Tom Campbell said the tariff system would be a major blow to victims.
He said: "The tariff is totally inflexible and takes no account of the personal circumstances of a victim."
A spokesman for Sir Kenneth Bloomfield said all options were still under consideration but a tariff system had not been ruled out.
He said the review would "take account of lessons to be learned from the way in which other jurisdictions compensate victims of violent crimes."
Under the current system in Northern Ireland, sums awarded by the Compensation Agency can be challenged in the courts and an appeal system is in place. Legal aid is also available.
A tariff system would extend to all victims of criminal injury, such as rape victims or those involved in car accidents.
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was "very concerned" at the development.
"I've been appalled at the way in which some victims and their families have been treated.
"I'll certainly be lobbying the Government to extend the scope for compensation - not restrict it."
Michelle Williamson, whose two parents were killed in the Shankill Bomb, said: "I've never received any compensation. The Government has never recognised me.
"It doesn't surprise me they're considering limiting compensation. Mo Mowlam refused me compensation, yet the Government has compensated terrorists - even the people who killed my parents. '
Compensation scheme could cap awards
By Una Bradley
COMPENSATION awards for those who lost loved ones in the Troubles could be restricted to just �10,000 if a controversial pay scale used in England is extended to Northern Ireland.
Under the scheme, compensation to relatives of murder victims would have a ceiling of �10,000 - the same figure available to someone who suffers severe burns to their arm.
Loss of a hand is compensated by an award of up to �40,000 - four times the amount available to someone bereaved by a murder.
The Law Society for Northern Ireland today confirmed it had met Victims Commissioner Sir Kenneth Bloomfield in a bid to block the tariff - which was introduced to public outrage in Britain in 1994.
However, legal sources have indicated that Sir Kenneth is "actively considering" extending the tariff to Northern Ireland.
He is currently conducting a top-to-bottom review of the compensation system and is expected to report his recommendations by early spring.
The scheme would mean a flat rate handed out to victims and their families, with no redress through the courts.
Injuries would fall into separate bands with a fixed sum for each one.
And awards would almost always be smaller than those currently meted out through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
A spokesman for the Law Society said their view was that "the present structures and mechanisms of assessment for compensation are correct in principle and essentially sound in practice.
"We are opposed to any change that has the effect of diminishing the individual's rights and entitlements.
'"The Law Society do not believe any form of tariff system will serve the best interests of victims."
Alliance councillor and solicitor Tom Campbell said the tariff system would be a major blow to victims.
He said: "The tariff is totally inflexible and takes no account of the personal circumstances of a victim."
A spokesman for Sir Kenneth Bloomfield said all options were still under consideration but a tariff system had not been ruled out.
He said the review would "take account of lessons to be learned from the way in which other jurisdictions compensate victims of violent crimes."
Under the current system in Northern Ireland, sums awarded by the Compensation Agency can be challenged in the courts and an appeal system is in place. Legal aid is also available.
A tariff system would extend to all victims of criminal injury, such as rape victims or those involved in car accidents.
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was "very concerned" at the development.
"I've been appalled at the way in which some victims and their families have been treated.
"I'll certainly be lobbying the Government to extend the scope for compensation - not restrict it."
Michelle Williamson, whose two parents were killed in the Shankill Bomb, said: "I've never received any compensation. The Government has never recognised me.
"It doesn't surprise me they're considering limiting compensation. Mo Mowlam refused me compensation, yet the Government has compensated terrorists - even the people who killed my parents. '
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0682
Published Date: 06-Feb-99
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