Legal Aid Domestic Violence

Duncan Lewis – Legal Aid for Domestic Abuse

Under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, changes to eligibility criteria for Legal Aid (also called public funding) changed from April 2013.

There are some family cases where Legal Aid funding might be available and these include family law cases involving domestic abuse and domestic abuse on children – and cases where court orders are applied for to protect a victim of domestic abuse.

It will be necessary to show evidence that domestic abuse has occurred before the Legal Aid Agency will grant Legal Aid for a case.

Evidence of domestic violence might include:

• GP letter – or letter from other healthcare professional
• Evidence of a multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC)
• Evidence from a domestic violence support service
• Letter from Social Services
• Letter from a women’s refuge manager
• Police crime number or letter from police.

If you need advice on obtaining evidence of domestic abuse or domestic abuse against children, your Duncan Lewis solicitor can advise you on this.

The Legal Aid Agency will also need to know what the funding will be covering – such as legal advice or applying for a court order.

In some cases, funding for initial legal advice will be granted – including meetings with your solicitor and any correspondence.

If it becomes necessary to apply for a Court Order, an application for Full Funding from the Legal Aid Agency will be made on your behalf by your Duncan Lewis solicitor.

Court Orders

Once Legal Aid funding is in place, Duncan Lewis will be able to advise further on the best course of action to protect a client and their children from a domestic abuser.

Under the Family Law Act 1996, there are two court orders, which can be applied for to prevent further domestic violence:

• Non-molestation order
• Occupation order.

If an order is granted by the court, it will usually be served on the domestic abuser under an Enforcement Order – and it will also be lodged with the police so they are aware of the situation.

If a domestic abuser breaches a Court Order, it is necessary to tell the police immediately – a domestic abuser who breaches a Court Order may be arrested and potentially jailed by the courts.

Sometimes an abuser will not be advised that a protective Court Order is being applied for, however – this is likely if the situation is considered urgent with a risk of immediate harm to an individual and/or their children.

Legal Aid – Domestic Abuse

Duncan Lewis understands that taking the first step towards tackling domestic abuse is extremely difficult.

However, we advise for victims to seek legal help as soon as possible so that measures can be put in place to protect them and their children.

It is also necessary to apply for Legal Aid funding as soon as possible – and obtain the necessary proof needed to submit with the Legal Aid application.

Duncan Lewis solicitors have acknowledged expertise in helping victims of domestic abuse – Duncan Lewis is ranked and recommended by the Legal 500 UK Legal Directory for its excellence in Family & Child Care work

The Duncan Lewis Family Law team also includes Advanced Members of the Law Society’s Family Panel and members of the Law Society Children Panel – so our team has the necessary expertise to represent you in any domestic abuse matter.

For expert legal advice on Legal Aid funding for domestic violence cases, call the Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors on 03337722409.