How to Apply
How to take a claim for compensation to the Victims' Special Claims Tribunal.
When a prisoner or offender is awarded compensation for wrongs that occur in the corrections or criminal justice systems, their victims have the opportunity to make a claim.
Special claims trust account
The claim process starts when an offender is awarded compensation and the money is paid into the victims' special claims trust account.
The offender's victims are then notified of the money in the trust account and their entitlement to make a claim. They also receive the claim forms they'll need, and a guide to help them complete the forms.
Public notices
The Secretary of the Tribunal will publish a notice in the New Zealand Gazette, on the website of the Ministry of Justice, and in the daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
The notice will include the offender's name, the amount available in the trust account, and the due date by which victims must file their claims.
Claims are not limited to the amount in the trust account.
Notifying the offender
The Secretary will serve a copy of a victim's claim on the offender as soon as possible after it is filed, and give him or her reasonable opportunity to make a written submission to the Tribunal.
Information that may help to identify a victim's address will be removed from the copy of the claim served on the offender, unless that information is necessary to ensure the offender is fully and fairly informed about the claim.
Applying for more time
The application deadline may be extended if the Tribunal is satisfied that a victim was prevented by factors beyond their control from filing the claim before the deadline. Applications for an extension must be in writing and received by the Tribunal before the deadline passes.
