Jonathan Black (Letters, 16 March), seems to have misunderstood the regulations on the availability of legal aid in cases where domestic violence is involved. This government has been clear that victims of domestic violence should get legal aid wherever they need it to help them to break free from the abusive relationship. We have expanded the types of evidence people can supply to get legal aid. The time limit on evidence referred to relates to when it is produced, not when the abuse occurred. Evidence can be available months or years after an incident of abuse, such as a medical report of conditions resulting from abuse. Since the reforms were introduced, thousands of people have successfully applied for legal aid where domestic violence is involved. Opponents of reform should not be allowed to create the misleading impression that legal aid has been removed in such cases, thereby discouraging those eligible from applying.
Shailesh Vara MP
Legal aid minister
