The chairman of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (CICAP) is to approach lawyers involved in pro bono work in a bid to increase the amount of legal representation at panel hearings.

The move was revealed in CICAP's annual report, published this month, and follows research showing that a represented applicant is likely to achieve a more favourable outcome in tribunals.


According to the report, about half of all CICAP appellants are represented.


CICAP chairman Roger Goodier, a former partner at trade union law firm Rowley Ashworth, would particularly like to see an increase in the level of representation in more serious cases.


The report said: 'There are times when the lack of professional representation causes some unease to panels, especially where the appeals concern seriously injured children or those who are mentally incompetent.'