Post by jman on Oct 24, 2011 19:00:36 GMT 1
This story is being widely covered in the press today with articles in the Guardian, Law Society Gazette, Telegraph, Express, Metro, Huffington Post, Yorkshire Post and others-will post the links in due course. Here is the Guardian
"Owen Bowcott The Guardian, Monday 24 October 2011 Article history
Legal aid cuts mean more victims of domestic violence will be cross-examined in court by alleged perpetrators, the Family Law Bar Association says. Photograph: Garry Weaser for the Guardian
An increasing number of victims of domestic abuse, including children, will be cross-examined in court by their alleged assailants if the government goes ahead with plans to cut legal aid, a coalition of family and children's charities has warned.
In a manifesto sent to all MPs, the group – which includes the Bar Council, the children's commissioner, Liberty, Women's Aid and Gingerbread – calls on ministers to protect vulnerable children and partners in divorce and family proceedings.
The legal aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders bill, which will save £350m a year from the legal aid budget, has completed its committee stage in the Commons and will be debated on the floor of the house next week. The justice secretary, Ken Clarke, has said he wants to do away with "compensation culture".
Restrictions are being imposed on access to legal aid in divorce and family proceedings. The Ministry of Justice has said legal aid will be preserved for those who suffer violence and psychological abuse in domestic disputes.
Family charities and the legal profession claim the definition remains too narrow and that alleged perpetrators will not be entitled to legal representation, resulting in many conducting personal cross-examinations. This already happens on rare occasions but is likely to become far more widespread under the proposed reforms, according to the Manifesto for Family Justice.
Stephen Cobb QC, chairman of the Family Law Bar Association, said: "We will see an increasing number of people going to court on their own without representation.
"That is DIY justice, not access to justice. We face the very real prospect that many children and women who have been victims of domestic abuse will have to endure the further trauma of being cross-examined by their alleged perpetrator, who will not be eligible for legal aid.
"We are facing a disturbing new landscape in which 600,000 people will no longer receive legal aid, 68,000 children will be affected by the removal of legal aid in family cases, 54,000 fewer people will be represented in the family courts annually and there will be 75% fewer private law cases in court................."
Rest at link below
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/24/domestic-violence-manifesto-family-justice
"Owen Bowcott The Guardian, Monday 24 October 2011 Article history
Legal aid cuts mean more victims of domestic violence will be cross-examined in court by alleged perpetrators, the Family Law Bar Association says. Photograph: Garry Weaser for the Guardian
An increasing number of victims of domestic abuse, including children, will be cross-examined in court by their alleged assailants if the government goes ahead with plans to cut legal aid, a coalition of family and children's charities has warned.
In a manifesto sent to all MPs, the group – which includes the Bar Council, the children's commissioner, Liberty, Women's Aid and Gingerbread – calls on ministers to protect vulnerable children and partners in divorce and family proceedings.
The legal aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders bill, which will save £350m a year from the legal aid budget, has completed its committee stage in the Commons and will be debated on the floor of the house next week. The justice secretary, Ken Clarke, has said he wants to do away with "compensation culture".
Restrictions are being imposed on access to legal aid in divorce and family proceedings. The Ministry of Justice has said legal aid will be preserved for those who suffer violence and psychological abuse in domestic disputes.
Family charities and the legal profession claim the definition remains too narrow and that alleged perpetrators will not be entitled to legal representation, resulting in many conducting personal cross-examinations. This already happens on rare occasions but is likely to become far more widespread under the proposed reforms, according to the Manifesto for Family Justice.
Stephen Cobb QC, chairman of the Family Law Bar Association, said: "We will see an increasing number of people going to court on their own without representation.
"That is DIY justice, not access to justice. We face the very real prospect that many children and women who have been victims of domestic abuse will have to endure the further trauma of being cross-examined by their alleged perpetrator, who will not be eligible for legal aid.
"We are facing a disturbing new landscape in which 600,000 people will no longer receive legal aid, 68,000 children will be affected by the removal of legal aid in family cases, 54,000 fewer people will be represented in the family courts annually and there will be 75% fewer private law cases in court................."
Rest at link below
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/24/domestic-violence-manifesto-family-justice