Victims of domestic violence and abuse will find it easier to qualify for legal aid for court hearings following a welcome decision by the government.
It will see the removal of the current requirement for victims to prove they have been targeted within the last five years.
The Ministry of Justice is also widening the types of evidence that the Legal Aid Board will accept to allow victims to qualify for funding.
There have been significant limits, such as a requirement for direct evidence from the police or evidence of convictions.
Now the government has indicated that evidence from domestic violence support organisations will be accepted. Victims have often had difficulty acquiring evidence to satisfy the Legal Aid Board, but the change will make access to justice easier for victims, which is to be welcomed.
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