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Improving access to justice for survivors of domestic violence
Today, ‘Claire’ a single parent and domestic abuse survivor, has overturned the rules that prevented her from accessing legal aid. It is already widely acknowledged that today’s ruling will improve access to justice for more survivors of domestic violence who are in...
The current landscape of domestic abuse podcast
The start of lockdown saw a significant spike in domestic abuse across the country. Jenny recently featured in a podcast for the Law Society discussing the landscape of domestic abuse in light of the increase in cases including: the rights of victims legal...
Jenny Beck honoured for legal aid efforts during lockdown
Two Law Society committee members have been honoured for their efforts during the Covid-19 lockdown ahead of the first virtual legal aid ‘oscars’ ceremony. Winners of this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards will be revealed on Tuesday. The annual,...
Challenging the means rules preventing women accessing legal aid
Season 3 of the Family Law Week podcast is here - listen to the latest podcast with myself and Rachel Cooper from Coram Chambers. We discuss the current high court case through which the Public Law Project and Beck Fitzgerald are seeking to challenge to the financial...
Legal Challenge to the Legal aid DA means test
Yesterday the Public Law Project and Beck Fitzgerald Solicitors went to the high court to challenge the financial eligibility, or means rules that prevent so many women getting access to free legal support to protect themselves and their children from...
Domestic violence victim denied legal aid seeks judicial review
A victim of domestic violence, who is surviving on universal credit but has been denied legal aid in a battle to hold on to her home, is challenging strict regulations that could force her to cross-examine her former partner in court. The woman, known as...
Improving access to justice for victims of abuse
We have actively been involved in improving access to justice by widening the gateway criteria for victims of abuse to secure legal aid. We are actively working with government during Covid-19 to better provide for victims of abuse left even more...
Solicitor spends hours on a call for update on abuse injunctions
Solicitor spends hours in call queue for update on abuse injunctions Taken from the Law Society Gazette 22 April 2020 By Monidipa Fouzder A solicitor spent a total of two-and-a-half hours in one day waiting on the phone to the courts to get an update on two emergency...
Better protection for those at most risk
The reality is that domestic abuse during lockdown is reaching terrifying proportions. Murders have doubles and calls to helplines are up by over 700%. This will be the tip of the iceberg as the practical problems of lockdown with partners and children at...
Extended hours service for those most at risk
We remain deeply concerned about women who may be trapped at home in light of Covid-19 and may be at risk. We are offering extended hours so that we can provide a service up to 10pm every weekday evening in order to maximise access to help to those at...
Appeal judge lambasts outdated judge’s view
Words fail me. This is completely shameful. We need to shape up and ensure that all those involved in the Family Justice system understand abuse and use the powers we have to make the process a fair one. This cannot wait. You can download the full judgement here...
Jenny Beck appointed to the Family Justice Council
We are pleased to announce that Jenny has been appointed as the new Private Law Solicitor member for the Family Justice Council. The appointment is un-remunerated and will run for three years from January 2020. The Family Justice Council (FJC) helps to get...
Protecting victims of domestic abuse and their children
The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP Jo Swinson MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA 05 November 2019 Dear Party Leaders, Re: Protect victims of domestic abuse and their children As representatives from across the children’s, domestic...
Update: Urgent call for inquiry into domestic abuse in family courts
Jenny Beck and Cris McCurley of Ben Hoare Bell have been at the forefront of the campaign for an independent inquiry into the failure of the family courts to protect victims of abuse and their children from domestic abuse.
The campaign is in response to a lacklustre commitment by the MOJ to hold a short, 12 week inquiry which would not be independent and which would not rely on expert evidence from lawyers working in the domestic abuse field.
Letter to the Rt Hon David Gauke MP
To the Rt Hon David Gauke MP, We are a group of concerned family and human rights lawyers, working in-house in women’s organisations, in private practice and at the Bar, who support the letter sent to you by a group of over 120 cross-party MPs calling for...
Contact at all costs?
More than 120 MPs led by Louise Haig MP have written to the government asking for an inquiry into how family courts in England and Wales treat victims of domestic violence. At least four children have been killed by a parent in the last five years after...
Lawyers in the Family Courts – Are they worth it?
Legal aid was removed for 80% of family law cases following the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act back in 2013. This means that less people have been able to access legal advice for free in family law cases even where they have no money....
Legal aid cuts forcing parents to give up fight for children
Deep cuts to legal aid have inflicted such disarray in family courts… read more