Who needs to be authorised?

All persons providing a regulated claims management service must be authorised by the Claims Management Regulator unless they are covered by an exemption.

Who needs to be authorised under the Compensation Act 2006 guidance note explains the categories of claims and the types of activities that are covered by the legislation.

On this page:

• Applying for authorisation
• The authorisation process
• The annual fee
• Exemptions

Applying for Authorisation – the Application Form

Applications must be made on the Claims Management - Application for Authorisation Form.  
Applicants may –

1. Register in the application area, print off the application form and complete it manually, then sign it and return it to the Claims Management Regulation Unit; or
2. Call the Claims Management Regulation Unit on 0845 450 6858. An officer will take details and post a part-completed form to the applicant for completion and signing.

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Applying for Authorisation – Fees

There are two fees that are payable: an Application Fee that is paid with every application for authorisation, and an annual fee that must be paid before the applicant is authorised and then each year thereafter.

The application fee is £1,400.

The annual fee will be calculated in accordance with the fees determination 2013.

Fees determination amendment 2013.

The cheque for the application fee should be made payable to the Ministry of Justice.

NOTE: where an application for authorisation is successful, an invoice will then be issued for the annual fee. The applicant will not be authorised until payment of the annual fee has been received.

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Applying for Authorisation – Submitting the Application

Applicants should be aware that a number of checks are routinely carried out on applicants. These checks can lead to delays in processing the application, for example if the applicant fails to respond to a request for information or documents (such as I.D. documents), or if the applicant has not ensured, before submitting the application that:

• Where the applicant is a newly formed company, the company has been correctly formed and Companies House records are up-to-date;
• Where required, the applicant has registered with the Information Commissioners Office.

Applying for authorisation - frequently asked questions (PDF)

Completed forms should be sent to the address below, along with a cheque for the application fee, made payable to the Ministry of Justice, to:

Claims Management Regulation
57 - 60 High Street  
Burton on Trent
Staffordshire  DE14 1JS

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The Authorisation Process

The authorisation process begins with the applicant submitting a fully completed application form to the Claims Management Regulator, with a cheque for the Application Fee.

Applicants who have submitted an application will find the post-application FAQ's  helpful – these provide answers to commonly asked questions about the process following submission of the application.

• Post-application FAQs

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Exemptions

There are a number of exemptions from the requirement to be authorised by the Claims Management Regulator. These include:

• Insurance companies, brokers and IFAs in respect of business that is regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act

• Solicitors, barristers and legal executives

• Independent trade unions dealing with their members, subject to compliance with the
  • ‘Code of practice for the provision of regulated claims management services by trade unions’
• Charities and advice agencies

• Small scale introducers where this is incidental to their main business, and the person to whom they introduce business takes responsibility for their activities

The exemptions are explained in more detail in the:

• Who needs to be authorised under the Compensation Act 2006 guidance note

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