AC-1c Response Accepted AI-assessed

Legal Support Signposting

Recommendation

IBCA include a prominent reference to the availability of legal support paid by IBCA on all registration and application forms and in public information about the compensation scheme and that the Solicitors Regulation Authority remind solicitors of their obligations.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Gov.uk progress (21 July 2025), the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) provides access to independent legal advice as part of its claims process, with legal support referenced on the IBCA website. The IBCA Community Update (15 Jan 2026) indicates the compensation scheme is actively processing claims, with 3,546 claims begun by January 2026. No specific public evidence has been identified regarding the Solicitors Regulation Authority reminding solicitors of their obligations.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted IBCA
21 Jul 2025

The remaining 11 recommendations focus on IBCA delivery. Further detail on these will be set out by IBCA in due course.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
21 Jul 2025

IBCA funds free legal support through six independent legal firms: Collins Solicitors

Source
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
15 Jan 2026
IBCA Community Update Other

As of 13 January 2026: 3,721 people asked to start claims, 3,546 begun process, 3,074 received offers totalling £2.47bn, 2,861 paid totalling £1.89bn. Third compensation regulations in force 31 December 2025.

View detailed findings

IBCA exceeded initial expectations. Three sets of regulations now in force covering infected persons, affected persons, and supplementary routes. £11.8bn committed in October 2024 Budget. Independent review found "very creditable progress."

IBCA Community Update, 15 January 2026 View Source
Good Progress
31 Dec 2025
UK Parliament legislation

Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 established IBCA. Three sets of scheme regulations in force (Aug 2024, Mar 2025, Dec 2025). First payments December 2024. £1.89bn paid to 2,861 people by January 2026.

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 20… View Source
Source
Inquiry Infected Blood Inquiry
Report Additional Report on Compensation 09 Jul 2025
View Source
Responsible Bodies
IBCA Primary
Themes & Tags
Legal aid access for digitally excluded Compensation
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 21 Jul 2025