Legal Aid for private family matters

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) 2012 – Evidence Requirements for Private Family Law Matter were updated on 1^st March 2023.

Legal Aid can sometimes be available for private law matters for example applications for Child Arrangements Orders and divorce where the relevant criteria are met. This can include providing evidence that there has been domestic abuse in a relationship with an ex-partner.

There are a number of pieces of evidence that clients can provide to access legal aid. One of those is “A letter or report from an appropriate health professional confirming that that professional, or another appropriate health professional 

(a) has examined A in person, by telephone or by video conferencing and

(b) in the reasonable professional judgement of the author or the appropriate examining health professional A has or has had, injuries or a condition consistent with being a victim of domestic violence

Previously, the health professional would have been required to examine the person however this has now been extended to telephone and video examination.

For further information, please contact enquiries@tmjlegal.co.uk.