As from 1 April 2013, Legal Aid is no longer available for divorce cases or ‘private’ cases involving children (residence, contact, etc.).

If you can prove that you are the victim of domestic violence (and that looks quite easy under the new rules), it is still possible to get Legal Aid – not just for the domestic violence issue but for your entire case (sorting out divorce finances, making arrangements for the children, or whatever).

So, the Government has created a financial incentive to prove domestic violence.  A significant increase in allegations of domestic violence, anyone?