Access to vital legal support extended to millions of vulnerable people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Over 6 million more people now eligible for legal aid advice and representation.
The move will see over 6 million more vulnerable people and families able to access funded legal support as the government pledges £25 million to boost the legal aid system every year.
It means domestic abuse victims on universal credit and seeking a protective order for themselves or their children against their attackers can access legal aid funding more easily without facing a means test.
Those who share a house with their abuser will also benefit from changes to disputed or inaccessible assets – which will no longer be considered when assessing someone’s financial eligibility for aid.
Taken together, these measures also go further to support victims of coercive control by making them eligible for legal help without needing to access funds from joint assets.
It comes as the government publishes a progress report following recommendations made by an expert ‘Harm Panel’ to improve responses to domestic abuse and safeguarding across the family justice system.
The report shows positive progress is being made across the family courts such as the launch of a new investigative approach pilot in three family courts and a review of the presumption of parental involvement.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, said:
'Widening access to legal aid secures justice and strengthens the rule of law.
These changes mean more vulnerable people like domestic abuse victims will be able to access the protection of the courts.'
Other measures which will come into force over the next 2 years include:
'We have made huge strides since the Harm Panel published its report and delivered cultural changes across the family justice system to ensure domestic abuse victims feel supported and protected.
Our changes to the legal aid means test will also make the justice system fairer for those who need it most.'
The changes to legal aid access for domestic abuse victims were part of a package of recommendations made by the ‘Harm Panel’ to better safeguard vulnerable people against domestic abuse in family courts.
Its report found serious failings in the family courts with concerns that lengthy courtroom battles were re-traumatising victims, and that allegations of domestic abuse were not taken seriously.
The progress report published today shows the government has delivered a number of changes to better protect children and parents including:
Expanding the eligibility criteria helps more people access the justice system to get the support they need.