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Court of appeal rules Government cuts to legal aid for victims of domestic violence 'legally flawed' Court of Appeal rules Government cuts to legal aid for victims of domestic violence 'legally flawed'
(35 minutes later)
The Court of Appeal has declared that Government changes to the rules allowing victims of domestic abuse to obtain legal aid are legally flawed.  The Court of Appeal has declared that Government changes to the rules which allow victims of domestic abuse to obtain legal aid are legally flawed. 
The changes require verifications of domestic violence to be given within two years before any application is made for legal aid. Campaigners welcomed the ruling and said it was an important recognition of "women's real life experiences of domestic violence".
Emma Scott, director of Rights of Women said: "For nearly three years we know that the strict evidence requirements for legal aid have cut too many women off from the very family law remedies that could keep them and their children safe. Under the changes, verifications of domestic violence must be given within a two-year period before any application for legal aid is made. But three judges from the Court of Appeal ruled that the changes were “invalid”.
Today’s judgement is important recognition of women’s real life experiences of domestic violence and means that more women affected by violence will have access to advice and representation in the family courts." The judges also ruled that it was flawed to exclude victims who had suffered from financial abuse.
This article will be updated shortly It comes after women’s rights campaigners said many victims were unlawfully being excluded from obtaining funding because of the charges.
The campaigners also argued that some victims were being forced to “face their abuser in court” without legal representation. 
Emma Scott, the director of Rights of Women, said in a statement: "For nearly three years we know that the strict evidence requirements for legal aid have cut too many women off from the very family law remedies that could keep them and their children safe.
"Today’s judgement is important recognition of women’s real life experiences of domestic violence and means that more women affected by violence will have access to advice and representation in the family courts."
The Law Society said it welcomed the ruling. Its president, Jonathan Smithers, said the cuts had resulted in "radical consequences for access to justice with the worst impact affecting the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of society".
“The harsh tests exclude victims from accessing legal aid for family law disputes against an abusive ex-partner or relative and are not what parliament intended. This ruling means that access to safety and justice will no longer be denied to the very people the Government expressly sought to protect with its amendments to the regulations.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the department would consider the findings from the court.
“We are determined to ensure victims of domestic violence can get legal aid whenever they need it.
The spokesperson added: “We have made it easier for victims of domestic violence to obtain legal aid, by ensuring a broader range of evidence qualifies. This has contributed to a 19 per cent rise in the number of grants awarded.”
Additional reporting by PA