Following the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill in the House of Commons last week, the Law Society says the Bill must do more to protect victims. It recently passed a significant stage in its path to becoming law and will now be examined by the Public Bill Committee.
While the proposed legislation protects victims to a certain extent by expanding the definition of domestic abuse and banning alleged abusers from cross-examining victims in courts, the Law Society urges the Bill to do more, calling for a ban on alleged abusers cross-examining certain other witnesses as well – for example, children.
Fiona Read comments in LawCareers on the potential shortcomings of the Bill and its likely impact on domestic abuse trials.
Domestic Abuse Bill: "victims need protecting" is available to read on LawCareers.net website.
Fiona is a partner and head of the family team in Putney.
She has extensive experience in all aspects of family law. Fiona frequently handles cases with an international element and which often involve high value financial settlements in divorce, disputed arrangements with children (including re-location to other countries) pre and post-nuptial agreements and co-habitation and property disputes. She is also noted for her expertise in matrimonial finance work.