Domestic Abusers barred from cross-examining victims in the family and civil courts

22nd July 2022

From the 21 July 2022 Victims of domestic abuse can be spared from being cross examined by their alleged attachers in the family and civil court. 

A judge has the power to order special measures in such cases  during court hearings to protect alleged victims. This can include the use of spearate entrances to the court building, separate waiting areas and the use of screens in the court room. If an alleged abuser does not have a lawyer, they will be ordered to file at court the questions that they wish to ask the alleged victim in cross examination and the judge will ask those questions on their behalf. This is the protect the alleged victim from being intimdiated during the hearing and to allow them to give their best evidence.