The Department of Justice has amended the same household rule within The Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (2009). This amendment has been approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly and came into operation on 9 June 2020.
The amendment to the Scheme will mean that anyone previously denied compensation under the same household rule, or put off from coming forward because of it, will be able to make a fresh application.
The same household rule applies from 1 March 1969 to 30 June 1988 to all victims of a crime of violence inflicted by a family member living under the same roof; this includes physical as well as sexual abuse.
If you have previously suffered from a criminal injury during this period which you were unable to pursue due to the same household rule, please do not hesitate to get it touch with our Personal Injury team and we can discuss whether a fresh claim can be made.