Saddi v Victims Compensation Fund (Sic)

The applicant, Saddi, appealed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal against a decision of the Victims Compensation Tribunal. The dispute concerned the applicant's eligibility for compensation under the *Victims Compensation Act 1987* (NSW) following an incident where he was injured. The second respondent, the Victims Compensation Fund, was also involved in the proceedings.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the applicant's injuries were sustained as a result of a "criminal act" as defined by the *Victims Compensation Act 1987* (NSW). Specifically, the court had to determine if the actions of the offender, which led to the applicant's injuries, constituted a criminal act for the purposes of the Act, thereby entitling the applicant to compensation.

The Court of Appeal considered the definition of "criminal act" within the *Victims Compensation Act 1987* (NSW) and relevant case law. It was held that the conduct of the offender, which involved an assault, clearly fell within the definition of a criminal act. The court reasoned that the Act was intended to provide compensation to victims of criminal acts, and the circumstances of the applicant's injuries met the statutory criteria. The appeal was allowed, and the matter was remitted to the Victims Compensation Tribunal for further consideration of the applicant's claim.