Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost to the public purse was of the case in the Court of Appeal (civil division) on appeal from High Court Queen's Bench Division, Divisional Court between the Queen (on the application of Rights of Women) and the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, 2015, Ewhc 35 (Admin).

Since 22 January 2015 we have spent approximately £16,400 (excluding VAT) on legal fees in this case. We are pleased the court confirmed the Lord Chancellor did have the power to set domestic violence evidence requirements.

We have implemented interim regulations that address the two concerns of the court and are now working with domestic violence support groups, legal representative bodies and colleagues across government to inform an evidence-based solution with the aim of drawing up replacement regulations.