Are You Eligible For Compensation From The Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board?

The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 received Royal Assent on 5 November 2019. The Act provides the legal framework for the establishment of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board. The Honourable Mr Justice Colton was appointed as President elect on 15 November 2019

The Redress Board was established on 31 March 2020. It is responsible for receiving and processing applications for compensation from those who experienced abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

Applications will be considered by paper determination by a three person panel consisting of a judicial member and two non-judicial members from a health and social care background. The judicial member will chair the panel.

Did You Suffer Abuse In Either Of The Following Categories?

You can apply for compensation if you can answer ‘yes’ to both, or either, of the following statements:

• I suffered abuse while a child and resident in an institution in Northern Ireland for a period of time between 1922 and 1995 inclusive: and/or
• I was sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme.

You can also apply on behalf of someone who died on, or after, 28 April 1953 if you are the deceased person’s surviving spouse, civil partner, cohabiting partner or surviving child.

The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board wants the procedure for processing applications for compensation to be as simple as possible.

What Can I Apply For?

The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 sets out the amounts of compensation that the Redress Board can award. These amounts are:

1. A standard award payment of £10,000 only;
2. An enhanced award payment of between £10,001 and £80,000; and
3. An amount of £20,000 if the application is made by or in respect of a person who was sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme.

If you think you might qualify contact our Family Solicitor Judith Gibson on 028 8772 2102 or at judith@paduffy.com. Judith has worked extensively on historic child abuse cases within the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry and will guide you through the process and advise you according to your claim.