Compensation Claims for Criminal Offenses

The state treasury pays compensation to victims of certain crimes, and the Compensation Committee decides on the compensation and the amount. As a result, the state may acquire a right of recourse against the perpetrator when compensation is paid to the victim from the state treasury, requiring the perpetrator to repay it.

The collection is handled by the District Commissioner of Northwest Iceland.

The due date for the claim is determined by the Compensation Committee, with a final payment deadline two months after the due date. If the claim is not paid by the final deadline, interest is charged until the payment date.

Collection Process

When a claim is created, it appears in the debtor's online bank. Collection letters are sent to the debtor’s inbox on island.is. If the claim is not paid within 30 days, a payment request is issued by a process server.

The following remedies are available to enforce payment:

• Offsetting against state credits

• Registration on the credit default register

• Asset seizure

• Forced sale of assets

The Compensation Committee may offset the compensation owed to the victim if they themselves owe recourse as a perpetrator.

Payment Installments

Requests for payment installments must be submitted in writing to innheimta@syslumenn.is or by letter to the office of the District Commissioner of Northwest Iceland. The minimum monthly payment for installment agreements is ISK 10,000.

Claims can be paid into bank account 0159-26-267, ID number 660914-0990. The debtor’s ID number and name must be included with the payment.

Waiver of Compensation Claims

The Compensation Committee has limited authority to waive recourse claims. However, it may reduce or cancel the claim in certain cases, such as:

• The perpetrator is deceased with minimal or no assets in the estate

• The perpetrator’s estate has been subject to bankruptcy within the last two years

• The perpetrator is serving a sentence of at least 10 years in prison and is assetless

• The perpetrator is under 20 years old, assetless, has shown efforts to improve, or their situation has significantly changed since the offense

Application and Supporting Documents

To request a waiver or reduction of the claim, an application must be submitted, including:

• Whether the applicant is studying or working

• Whether the applicant has shown efforts to improve

• The factors supporting the application

The application must include:

• The applicant’s criminal record

• A police report showing no pending investigations (available at police stations with personal identification)

• Copies of the last two tax returns

Note that limited ability to pay is not a valid basis for a waiver of the recourse claim.