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Women and the Law

Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders; how the criminal justice system deals with domestic and sexual violence; the impact of changing civil legal aid. With Jane Garvey.

Alison Saunders in her first interview for Woman's Hour since becoming Director of Public Prosecutions. Labour MP Bridget Phillipson on why the criminal justice system is being scrutinised by an all-party group of parliamentarians on how well it deals with women who have been subjected to domestic or sexual violence. One woman describes her struggle to get legal aid to protect herself and her children following government changes to cut £350 million from the £2.2 billion cost of funding civil actions in England and Wales. Family lawyer Christina Blacklaws and Women's Aid chief executive Polly Neate on the impact of those changes to civil legal aid since April. Justice Minister Lord McNally on the safeguards intended to protect funding for cases such as domestic violence.

Presenter: Jane Garvey.
Producer: Anne Peacock.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • Alison Saunders

    Her first interview for Woman's Hour since becoming Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Duration: 12:19

  • Justice for Women Inquiry

    Labour MP Bridget Phillipson on the Parliamentary Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

    Duration: 05:32

  • Domestic Violence and Accessing Legal Aid

    One woman describes her struggle to get legal aid to protect herself and her children.

    Duration: 07:36

  • Impact of Changes to Civil Legal Aid

    With family lawyer Christina Blacklaws and Women's Aid chief executive Polly Neate.

    Duration: 08:55

  • Lord McNally

    The Justice Minister discusses protecting funding for cases of domestic violence.

    Duration: 04:50

Alison Saunders - Director of Public Prosecutions

Alison Saunders has been Director of Public Prosecutions since the beginning of November. She took over the high profile role leading the Crown Prosecution Service from outgoing DPP, Keir Starmer. With a fall in recorded crimes committed against women in England and Wales and an increase in convictions for rape prosecutions and domestic violence, how will she build on her predecessor’s success? And how close is she to announcing Britain’s first prosecution for FGM?

Justice for Women Inquiry

How well does the criminal justice system deal with women who have been subjected to domestic or sexual violence? This week an all-party group of MPs has begun taking evidence. Among the issues the Justice for Women inquiry will be hearing about are barriers to disclosing abuse, the role of the police, and guidelines on sentencing in cases where there is a conviction. Jane is joined by Labour MP Bridget Phillipson, secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Domestic Violence and Accessing Legal Aid

Changes to the civil legal aid system were introduced in April this year which means that there are now fewer cases for which people can get funding.Ìý These include private family law such as divorce and custody battles and personal injury cases. People who experience domestic violence can still apply for legal aid to help with the cost of legal advice and court proceedings, but must provide evidence to prove it. Tamsin Smith speaks to one woman who suffered years of domestic abuse and after one particularly violent incident was advised to leave the family home with her children to seek safety in a refuge. She describes her experience of trying to provide evidence in order to access legal aid.

Impact of Changes to Civil Legal Aid

Family lawyers’ representative on the Law Society council Christina Blacklaws, who’s also Head of Policy at the Co-operative Legal Services, is joined by Polly Neate, chief executive of Women’s Aid, to assess the impact of the changes on women’s access to justice. What evidence needs to be provided in order to qualify for legal aid, and what’s been the wider experience of women so far?

Lord McNally - Minister for Justice

While cutting the legal aid bill for England and Wales, the government said it was targeting resources at those most in need. Since April some family law cases, including those involving domestic violence, have continued to qualify for funding providing certain criteria are met. Is Lord McNally satisfied that the safeguards built into new law are working?

Sources of Information and Support

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jane Garvey
Interviewed Guest Alison Saunders
Interviewed Guest Bridget Phillipson
Interviewed Guest Christina Blacklaws
Interviewed Guest Polly Neate
Interviewed Guest Tom McNally
Producer Anne Peacock

Broadcast

  • Tue 26 Nov 2013 10:00

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