Domestic violence protection orders continue to rise. According to the latest family court figures*, there were 9,849 domestic violence protection orders, an increase of 13% compared to the same quarter last year.
Law Society of England and Wales president, Mark Evans, said: “Almost four million people experienced domestic abuse in the year ending in March 2025**. A significantly higher proportion of those are females, younger adults and people from a Black ethnic background***.
“Survivors of domestic abuse need significant help to cover legal costs for protection orders and navigate a very complex legal landscape. Law Society research shows that increasing numbers of people are left without access to legal aid advice and are forced to represent themselves in court****. The scale of the problem points to an urgent need for the government to invest more in civil legal aid.
“Although solicitors working in some legal aid practices will soon see their fees go up, following a recent cash injection by the UK government*****, this investment is just a drop in the ocean.
“The government has a golden opportunity to level the playing field for domestic abuse survivors and help them get justice. This can only be achieved through further investment in civil legal aid and court resources, which will provide vital legal support to our communities, help families secure safe arrangements for children to thrive and reduce court delays.”
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