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Charity warns that domestic abuse survivors in north Wales are frequently left with no choice but to represent themselves in court.

Only one remaining provider offers housing advice under legal aid in the area.

A new proposed Law Centre is recruiting a team to address community needs for advice and representation.

By George Mills. Cover image: Barristers strike for legal aid

A triple crisis of the housing shortage, heightened demand for domestic abuse services and severe cuts to legal representation have left domestic abuse victims in north Wales without support during the most difficult of times.

Aberconwy Domestic Abuse Service (ADAS), says that due to a shortage of available services and the harsh means testing in order to access legal aid for domestic abuse survivors, many are forced to represent themselves in court as the system deems them ineligible for legal aid.

Cheryl Dixon, Project Manager at ADAS said that 70% of clients require legal advice and of those, 40% couldn’t get legal aid. 

“They must then represent themselves in court at a time of heightened emotional pressure and acute stress, with no support, often facing their alleged perpetrator who does have legal representation,” Dixon said. 

“Having solicitors in the building that can advise our clients without the constraints of legal aid will make an enormous difference, improving their outcomes and their experience of facing a daunting justice system at a frightening and pivotal point in their lives.” 

The 2019 Commission on Justice in Wales report found that it was particularly difficult for people in rural and post-industrial areas to gain access to the legal aid they require. 

“The significant cuts to legal aid made in 2012 have hit Wales hard,” the report stated, adding that whilst the Tory Government in Westminster is responsible for the policy and delivery of legal aid, its policies have not been designed to meet the needs of the people of Wales. 

 “Whilst lawyers and others have provided pro bono help and advice, these efforts are insufficient to offset the impact of the significant reductions in legal aid.” 

There is also a desperate need for more solicitors that specialise in housing law, an area that survivors often need help in. The Senedd introduced new housing laws in 2021 in Wales, yet despite this, there is only one provider in the entirety of north Wales that offers specialist housing legal advice and representation under the legal aid scheme.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government’s strategy on Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDSAV) highlights that, “Poor housing and homelessness can contribute to the causes of VAWDASV. The provision of good quality temporary and permanent housing as well as protecting the housing rights of those who experience VAWDASV must all play an important part in our response.” 

In response to the situation, a new charity, the North Wales Law Centre Steering Group, are opening a north Wales legal centre based at the offices of Aberconwy Domestic Abuse Service, with the aim of providing legal aid to victims of homelessness and domestic abuse. 

Katherine Adams, the Centre Manager for the North Wales Law Centre Steering Group said that there is an urgent need for legal advice and representation for people facing housing issues and those experiencing domestic abuse. Adams said this was getting worse “as rents are increasing, local authority budgets have been cut further and further, and the cost-of-living crisis continues. Having timely access to specialist legal advice can be essential for someone in a time of crisis.” 

The new centre is now urgently looking for legal workers to help staff the new facility. 

The question of legal aid cuts and under-resourced services was a central theme to a high profile strike by barristers in Wales and England last year. 

Following news of an improved pay offer Kirsty Brimelow KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association whose members had been involved in the action, said: “The criminal justice system remains chronically underfunded. The onus is on government to properly fund it.” 

“It should never have got to the stage of barristers taking action to force more funding into criminal legal aid.”