Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to answer Question 60547, on domestic violence, submitted by the hon. Member for Neath on 18 January 2017.
Answered by Oliver Heald
Question 60547, on domestic violence, submitted by the hon. Member for Neath on 18 January 2017 was answered on 27 March 2017.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effect of the eligibility criteria for family legal aid funding on the number of litigants in person in domestic violence cases.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The Government is absolutely clear that victims of domestic violence must have access to the help that they need, including access to legal aid.
We are currently reviewing the arrangements for providing legal aid to victims of domestic violence in private family law disputes. The findings of this review will be used to develop regulations underpinned by evidence. While we consider longer-term options we have more than doubled the time limit for evidence. We have introduced a provision that will allow the Legal Aid Agency to grant legal aid if satisfied that an application demonstrates financial abuse.
For those seeking urgent protection from domestic violence via court injunctions, such as non-molestation orders or prohibited steps orders, we have made sure legal aid continues to be available to the full extent of the proceedings when such application is granted.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to answer Question 61012, on reparation by offenders, tabled by the hon. Member for Neath on 20 January 2017.
Answered by Phillip Lee
PQ 61012 was answered on Friday 24 February 2017.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she plans to extend the use of restorative justice measures for victims in domestic violence cases.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
Tackling domestic violence and abuse is a key priority for this Government and we are clear that adult perpetrators of domestic abuse should, wherever possible be prosecuted. Similarly, we are clear that, so called level one street restorative justice, delivered by police as an alternative to prosecution, is not appropriate in these cases.
However, there can be a place for restorative justice in domestic abuse cases alongside prosecution. This is with the strict caveat that it will be carried out with effective and ongoing risk assessment and safeguarding in place and led by experienced and skilled practitioners. In this way restorative justice can help some victims cope and recover.
As my Right Honourable and Learned Friend for North Hertfordshire stated at the recent Westminster Hall Debate on Restorative Justice, we are committed to working with interested parties to produce a paper on the use of restorative justice services for victims in domestic abuse cases.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what dates the Government plans to (a) start and (b) end the review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
Answered by Oliver Heald
We will begin reviewing the changes made by LASPO by submitting a post-legislative memorandum of LASPO as a whole to the Justice Select Committee in the coming months. This will provide an initial assessment of the extent to which LASPO met its objectives. We will then begin work on a more substantive review of the reforms of Part 1 and Part 2 LASPO. We are committed to completing this review by April 2018.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much her Department has spent on developing and testing electronic file covers for magistrates' courts.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The Department spent approximately £145,000 developing and testing electronic file covers for magistrates’ courts. This figure includes both supplier and staff costs.
These costs were incurred over the period May 2014 to September 2015.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many applications for legal aid in cases involving coercive control have been approved by the Legal Aid Authority in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with court staff trade union representatives on their remuneration and training for judicial decision-making as set out in the Transforming our Justice System, consultation paper, published in September 2016.
Answered by Oliver Heald
Certain HMCTS staff are already authorised to exercise judicial powers across most jurisdictions. Mechanisms are in place to discuss training and remuneration with the staff involved and with trades unions. There have been numerous discussions under this framework in the past, as roles have changed and developed.
HMCTS recently sought the views of staff, trades unions and the judiciary about a proposed new senior leadership structure for these roles, and will continue to use the mechanisms available as they develop.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations she has received on the banning of claims management companies from making cold calls for personal injury claims.
Answered by Oliver Heald
Claims management companies (CMCs) are already banned from introducing claims, or details of potential claims to solicitors if these have been obtained by an unsolicited approach by telephone or in person. The majority of unsolicited calls for personal injury claims are made by illegal unregulated businesses. Regulators are working together to tackle illegal activity where identified.
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to CMCs operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will assess the potential merits of banning claims management companies from making cold calls for personal injury claims.
Answered by Oliver Heald
Claims management companies (CMCs) are already banned from introducing claims, or details of potential claims to solicitors if these have been obtained by an unsolicited approach by telephone or in person. The majority of unsolicited calls for personal injury claims are made by illegal unregulated businesses. Regulators are working together to tackle illegal activity where identified.
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to CMCs operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.