Posted by familylaw on 31st October 2018
Last updated 29th April 2024

Today, we revisit a blog by Imran Khodabocus that discusses how access to Legal Aid was severely restricted by LASPO in 2013, and the positive impact of the more recent changes introduced in January of this year.

Legal Aid Update

From January 2018, changes to the rules governing legal aid, specifically the evidence that needs to be provided, will mean victims of domestic abuse who qualify financially can access legal aid. This article looks at the current position and what the changes are.

Current position

From 1 April 2013, legal aid has only been available for a limited range of family cases. These include:

  • Domestic violence injunctions
  • Cases involving children where there is evidence of domestic abuse against the parent or against the child
  • Care proceedings
  • International child abduction cases

People who are victims of domestic abuse will usually need to provide evidence – called ‘gateway’ evidence. Examples of such evidence include  a relevant unspent conviction or caution for a domestic violence offence; a copy of any injunctions; evidence that the other side was on bail for a domestic violence offence; a letter from a multi-agency risk assessment conference confirming that someone was subject to a plan which had been put in place to protect them from the other side; a letter from a domestic violence support organisation confirming that someone had been in a refuge (or refused admission to a refuge); and a copy of a letter from a health professional such as a GP confirming that someone had injuries or a condition consistent with domestic abuse.

Interim changes

Concerns were raised that these initial requirements were too harsh. For example, they did not provide for victims of financial abuse, such as where one person is financially controlling the other. It was also felt they were too time-limited, as the violence in question had to have taken place in the preceding 24 months.

In February 2017, this time limit was extended to cover the preceding 60 months. At the same time, there was an agreement that evidence of financial abuse could be considered.

New changes

The latest changes will be implemented in January 2018. So what does this mean?

  1. The 60-month time limit is being ditched
  2. Victims of domestic violence will be able to use statements from domestic violence support organisations as gateway evidence

The exact details have yet to be released. However, the good news is these changes mean that more victims of domestic violence will be able to get access to legal aid.

If you have any questions about anything in this article, please call Imran Khodabocus on 01392 284 851.  The Family Law Company can assess you for legal aid and in some emergency situations, grant you legal aid in our initial meeting. Even if you don’t qualify, your initial appointment is always free. Appointments are available in Exeter or in our office in Taunton.

 

Need some advice? Get in touch today

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The information submitted here is used and stored for the purpose of replying to the enquiry. For more information on how we process data please visit our Privacy Policy.

Information Articles

+ More Blog Articles
Would you like to speak to someone? Find out how to get in touch...