Compensation for victims of crime

If you are the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to compensation from the Treasury. This applies to violent offences such as:

• assault

• sexual offences

• unlawful deprivation of liberty

• a violation that causes a public hazard

• violation of the authority

• wrongful convictions

• defamatory and invasion of privacy

• homicide, in which case relatives may be entitled to compensation for the loss of a support person and the payment of funeral costs

No compensation is paid in the event of violations of enrichment or damage to property.

Other violent incidents may be considered, in case of doubt, you can contact the

Conditions for the payment of compensation

The conditions are

• that the violation was committed within the Icelandic state

• that the violation was reported to the police without unreasonable delay

• that the injured party has demanded payment of compensation from the accused

• that the application for payment has been submitted to the compensation committee within two years of the date of the offence, from which there may be exceptions, in particular with regard to the age of the victim at the time of the offence

Applications must be made for payment of compensation in cases that result in a conviction in the judicial system and for compensation awarded. The payment is not automatically made.

It is not necessary to

• the offence has been committed to court or has resulted in a conviction; you may be entitled to compensation even if the case is dropped

• the perpetrator is known; you may be entitled to compensation even if the perpetrator is unknown, deceased or his/her place of stay is unknown.

• the perpetrator is liable to criminal prosecution, you may be entitled to compensation even if the perpetrator is ineligible due to his or her young age or for other reasons

If you have suffered loss due to violence abroad, you must contact the authorities in that country, but many states pay compensation to victims of crime.

Improved

The following can be obtained from improved sources:

• medical expenses

• suffering, but compensation for suffering is generally only paid while the injured party is incapable of work according to a medical certificate.

• loss of income

• misconduct (pursuant to Article 26 of the Criminal Damages Act, No. 50/1993), these are the most common compensation in criminal cases

• permanent loss (pursuant to Article 4 of the Tort Claims Act)

• permanent invalidity (pursuant to Articles 5-8 of the Tort Claims Act)

• clothing and personal effects which have been lost or destroyed as a result of an assault

• the cost of the lawyer's work in pursuing a claim for compensation, although it is generally assumed that the injured party can himself or herself handle his or her application

Application process and supporting documentation

Time limit

An application for payment of compensation must be submitted to the compensation committee within two years of the time of the violation.

No court judgment may be delivered in a case, and it is possible to apply for compensation at any stage of the case, provided that this is done within two years.

In order to interrupt the time limit, it is important to send in an application or notification as soon as possible that the applicant has been subjected to a criminal offence. More detailed data can always be sent later.

Attachment data

The application shall be accompanied by a detailed and reasoned claim, as well as other supporting documentation.

Data that may be relevant are:

• copies of police reports or other research materials

• the police's letter that the case has been dropped after an investigation if this is the case

• medical evidence such as injury certificates

• accounts for outlay costs

• employer's certificate for lost wages

• a copy of the judgment

The Office of the Compensation Committee is located in the North East Iceland District Commissioner's Office in Siglufjörður. The e-mail address is 458-2600.

Decision of the compensation committee

When evidence has been received, the matter is addressed to the compensation committee, which approves or denies applications.

If an application for payment of benefit is accepted, the amount shall be determined:

• of the compensation committee in unsettled cases or if a claim for compensation has not been dealt with in a court case for any reason

• in court when the case has ended with a conviction

In cases of compensation, there is no deadline for appeals. If an application is rejected, legal action must be brought against the state to have it changed.

The answer from the compensation committee is sent to the victim or his or her lawyer.

Payment of compensation

Compensation will be paid within a few days after the decision of the compensation committee has been made.

The compensation is paid by the Financial Management Authority.

Laws and regulations