Access to justice for survivors of domestic abuse: MOJ to lift time limits and evidential restrictions on legal aid

PLP is delighted to learn that the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is to lift restrictions on legal aid to survivors of domestic abuse.  Large numbers of those involved in Family Court proceedings, where they were often forced face their abusers, will now receive advice and representation.  It will lift time limits on evidence of abuse and allow fresh categories of evidence, restricted under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).  In 2015 PLP represented Rights of Women (RoW) in successful court proceedings which led to time limits on evidence being extended from two to five years, and allowed evidence of financial abuse to be taken into account.

RoW’s research evidence was key to the success of the claim.

There is a Guardian article here.
PLP’s original press release is here.