​In order to qualify for legal aid, survivors are required to provide evidence of domestic abuse taking place. This is to ensure that legal aid funding is targeted at those who are most in need. From 1st October 2021, health professionals will no longer be able to charge for providing this evidence in accordance with Section 80 of the Domestic Abuse Act.

​The review on Legal Aid has restarted following a pause induced by the impact of COVID-19. Justice Minister, Alex Chalk, informed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid that the review has re-commenced with a plan to publish findings in Spring 2021.

BBC’s File on 4 will explore the challenges faced by families at inquests, paying close attention to the lack of access to legal aid. The radio program has been informed that out of more than 600 requests for legal aid at inquests last year, almost half of these applications were refused.

Abuse Partner Natalie Marrison discusses a recent report, in which the Joint Committee on Human Rights said cuts to Legal Aid have left them with “grave concerns for access to justice”.

A recent article has highlighted that the cuts to Legal Aid have "inflicted such disarray in family courts that parents are abandoning efforts to maintain contact with their children".

The Government has announced a consultation to analyse whether or not access to justice has been restricted by the cuts to Legal Aid. The LAPSO reforms were introduced in 2013 and were intended to save around £450 million a year.

Since legal aid has been withdrawn in April this year there has been a marked increase in the number of applications being made to court in respect of children matters.

The Law Society, Bar Council and Chartered Institute of Legal Executives have warned Solicitors, Barristers and Legal Executives that they need to play it cool when speaking to Litigants in Person.