Legal Support Signposting
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.
- IBCA provides access to independent legal advice as part of the claims process, referenced on the IBCA website (IBCA Community Update, January 2026).
- No independent assessment of the prominence of legal support information on registration and application forms has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe remaining 11 recommendations focus on IBCA delivery. Further detail on these will be set out by IBCA in due course.
Progress Timeline
IBCA funds free legal support through six independent legal firms: Collins Solicitors, Leigh Day, Milners Solicitors, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, Watkins & Gunn, and KRW Law. No solicitor is required to register or claim. (Source: IBCA Community Update, 12 March 2026)
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
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."
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.