The Ministry of Justice has recently published a series of proposals for reforming the legal aid system. The reforms, which are aimed at reducing the legal aid budget by £350 million, propose taking whole areas of law out of scope, which means that even the most deserving cases won't get access to legal aid.
The reforms represent a real risk for women who have experienced violence. Although cases involving domestic violence are still technically covered by legal aid, the levels of proof required and the fact that only cases involving physical violence will qualify means that many women who have experienced abuse will be unable to access legal aid. Furthermore women will no longer be able to access legal aid for many of the issues associated with leaving a violent relationship, for example child contact issues, and financial law. Ruth Bond, Chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes said;
"The NFWI is disappointed with the proposals on reforming legal aid; they risk fundamentally undermining the justice system and we are particularly concerned about the impact on women who have experienced domestic violence. The proposals appear to lack an understanding of the devastating affect that violence can have on women's lives, and they perpetuate some of the myths surrounding violence against women, including that domestic violence only constitutes physical abuse."
Have you experienced violence and used the
legal aid system?
If so we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sophie Howes on 0207 371 9300 (ext 238) or s.howes@nfwi.org.uk. All case studies will be treated with the strictest confidence.
The NFWI is part of the Justice for All coalition, and we are also supporting the Law Society's Sound Off for Justice campaign. Read our briefing on legal aid to find out how you can get involved or contact Sophie Howes on 0207 371 9300 (ext 238) or s.howes@nfwi.org.uk. |