header-logo header-logo

19 October 2022
Categories: Legal News , Criminal , Legal aid focus , Family
printer mail-detail

LNB NEWS: MoJ announces free legal advice expansion for domestic abuse victims

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced changes to the legal aid system that will enable domestic abuse victims to obtain free legal advice through new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (DAA 2021). 

Lexis®Library update: According to the MoJ, the police will be able to issue these protection notices for victims following an incident and courts will be able to impose longer term protection through the protection orders. Once a victim is protected by either of these notices or orders, they will be able to access free expert legal advice and representation in court. The MoJ has also announced an additional £10m funding for housing legal aid so that more people can access legal advice when the face the risk of eviction.

Justice Minister, Lord Bellamy KC, has said: ‘Legal advice should always be available to those who need it, especially victims of domestic abuse who often rely on lawyers to ensure they are protected from abusers. By making it easier for victims to access legal aid, more people will be better supported through court proceedings and can start the process of moving on safely with their lives.’

This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 18 October 2022 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: www.lexisnexis.co.uk.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Firm strengthens growth strategy and group litigation capability with senior hires

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
Pathfinder courts—renamed ‘Child focused courts’—are to be rolled out nationally, following a successful pilot where backlogs halved and cases were resolved up to seven and a half months faster
The Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed a £385,000 costs order against a father, in a case that centred on what is required to meet the threshold of ‘reprehensible or unreasonable’ behaviour
Centuries-old burial laws would be overhauled, under Law Commission proposals to address the burgeoning problem of shortage of cemetery space
The government has committed an extra £32m to women’s charities and services tackling addiction, trauma, abuse and homelessness
The Financial Ombudsman is poised for major reform to return it to a simple, impartial dispute resolution service
back-to-top-scroll