Victims of domestic violence will get more support

The changes to domestic violence evidence requirements have come into effect. This means more help for victims of domestic abuse in family law disputes.

Victims of domestic violence will get more support in taking abusive former partners to court. The changes to evidence requirements in private family law disputes have come into effect. There will no longer be a time limit on abuse evidence, which previously stood at five years.

Justice Minister Dominic Raab said:

“We have listened to victims’ groups and carefully reviewed the criteria for legal aid for victims of domestic abuse in family cases… Today’s changes will ensure that vulnerable women and children get legal support, so their voice is properly heard in court”.

Legal aid is available to individuals involved in private family disputes if they are victims, or those that are at risk of becoming victims, of domestic violence or child abuse. To qualify for Legal aid, applicants must provide objective evidence of the abuse while their case is also subject to means and merits tests.

The range of documents accepted as evidence has been widened to include statements from domestic violence support organisation and housing support officers.

Sophie-Jade Furber

sjf@passmores.com

01446 721000