The Minister for Justice and Equality is seeking expressions of interest from practising barristers and solicitors for the part-time position of member and/or chair of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (CICT).

The appointment will be for a five-year term starting on 1 January 2021. Applicants must be qualified practising barristers or solicitors with at least five years’ experience and remain practising for the period of appointment.

Schemes

The CICT currently consists of a chair and six ordinary members. In May, solicitor William Aylmer was appointed interim chair until the end of this year.

The independent body considers applications from or on behalf of people who suffer a personal injury or death as a result of a crime of violence, under a scheme funded by the Department of Justice and Equality. The CICT also administers a second scheme to compensate prison officers injured in the course of duty.

“The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal makes a very important practical contribution in assisting victims of violent crime,” said minister Helen McEntee (pictured).

“Through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, it aims to ease the financial burden that victims of these crimes may have suffered because of additional expenses or losses.”

Panel

Applicants will be able to state whether they wish to apply for the position of ordinary member, chair or both.

Arising from the process, a panel will be formed which will be in place up to 30 June 2025. The minister will be able to fill any vacancies in membership up to that date from the panel.

The closing date for applications is 6pm on 11 September.