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Christy Walsh ✍ I have discovered serious structural defects in the Victims' Payments Board (VPB), the body responsible for compensating victims of Troubles-related injuries. 

It is run from top to bottom by the Department of Justice (DoJ). That means when the state injures you, the state alone gets to decide if it is responsible; one set of rules for victims of paramilitaries, another for victims of the state itself.

The VPB operates as an administrative arm of the DoJ, creating a fundamental conflict where the state effectively decides if victim’s injuries were caused by state actions. Or, where applications are successful, applicants may still suffer because the DoJ’s control or influence over medical assessments might result in injuries being undervalued. Applicants are assessed by UK health and wellbeing contractor Capita under contract to the DoJ and not VPB. But it is much worse:
 
  • All applications and evidence pipelines are controlled, or, "received and initially processed by DoJ staff acting as the Secretariat to the Board" with financial interest in denying claims.
  • Cases are assigned to VPB decision-makers who also double up as DOJ lawyers or Crown Prosecutors.
  • VPB uses DoJ email systems and infrastructure confirming it is embedded within the DOJ.
  • The VPB uses DOJ offices in Belfast city centre to meet with applicants.
  • Victims are not allowed to know the identity or professional bio of VPB decision-makers.

In my case, they first assigned a Crown Prosecutor, M Hardy, as decision-maker. Out of suspicion, I asked if M Hardy was former prosecutor Mark Hardy. Mr Hardy recused himself and someone called E Grier was appointed. The VPB refused to identify E Grier or provide summary of her professional bio. Several weeks after E Grier refused my application, I learned that E Grier is a practicing DoJ barrister called Ms Elaine Grier.

The State controls evidence, influences medical assessments, DoJ staff run the VPB and government lawyers are the decision-makers then it creates a double standard in how victims of paramilitaries and victims of the state are treated.

As an extension of the DoJ, VPB decisions my breach Article 6 of the ECHR by denying fair process to victims of state abuse. The cynical treatment of victims of state abuse, who have sought justice for decades, amounts to degrading treatment and breach of Article 3 of the Convention.

Justice must be independent. The VPB must be separate from the Department of Justice so that victims of state abuse get the same fair treatment as victims of paramilitaries. When the state controls the body judging its own alleged wrongdoing, justice cannot be served.

These matters and more form part of a judicial review against the VPB’s lack of impartiality toward victims of conflict-related injuries caused by the state and security forces.

Re: Walsh v.  Victims' Payments Board [2025] NIQB
Court Reference: JRO HJR 25/066799/01

⏩ Christy Walsh was stitched up by the British Ministry of Defence in a no jury trial and spent many years in prison as a result.

Exposing The Victims’ Payments Board As An Extension Of The State

Christy Walsh ✍ I have discovered serious structural defects in the Victims' Payments Board (VPB), the body responsible for compensating victims of Troubles-related injuries. 

It is run from top to bottom by the Department of Justice (DoJ). That means when the state injures you, the state alone gets to decide if it is responsible; one set of rules for victims of paramilitaries, another for victims of the state itself.

The VPB operates as an administrative arm of the DoJ, creating a fundamental conflict where the state effectively decides if victim’s injuries were caused by state actions. Or, where applications are successful, applicants may still suffer because the DoJ’s control or influence over medical assessments might result in injuries being undervalued. Applicants are assessed by UK health and wellbeing contractor Capita under contract to the DoJ and not VPB. But it is much worse:
 
  • All applications and evidence pipelines are controlled, or, "received and initially processed by DoJ staff acting as the Secretariat to the Board" with financial interest in denying claims.
  • Cases are assigned to VPB decision-makers who also double up as DOJ lawyers or Crown Prosecutors.
  • VPB uses DoJ email systems and infrastructure confirming it is embedded within the DOJ.
  • The VPB uses DOJ offices in Belfast city centre to meet with applicants.
  • Victims are not allowed to know the identity or professional bio of VPB decision-makers.

In my case, they first assigned a Crown Prosecutor, M Hardy, as decision-maker. Out of suspicion, I asked if M Hardy was former prosecutor Mark Hardy. Mr Hardy recused himself and someone called E Grier was appointed. The VPB refused to identify E Grier or provide summary of her professional bio. Several weeks after E Grier refused my application, I learned that E Grier is a practicing DoJ barrister called Ms Elaine Grier.

The State controls evidence, influences medical assessments, DoJ staff run the VPB and government lawyers are the decision-makers then it creates a double standard in how victims of paramilitaries and victims of the state are treated.

As an extension of the DoJ, VPB decisions my breach Article 6 of the ECHR by denying fair process to victims of state abuse. The cynical treatment of victims of state abuse, who have sought justice for decades, amounts to degrading treatment and breach of Article 3 of the Convention.

Justice must be independent. The VPB must be separate from the Department of Justice so that victims of state abuse get the same fair treatment as victims of paramilitaries. When the state controls the body judging its own alleged wrongdoing, justice cannot be served.

These matters and more form part of a judicial review against the VPB’s lack of impartiality toward victims of conflict-related injuries caused by the state and security forces.

Re: Walsh v.  Victims' Payments Board [2025] NIQB
Court Reference: JRO HJR 25/066799/01

⏩ Christy Walsh was stitched up by the British Ministry of Defence in a no jury trial and spent many years in prison as a result.

Christy Walsh Victims' Payments Board

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