The Law Society has urged the next government to monitor the impact of a 10% fee increase for lawyers appointed by the court to prevent domestic abuse complainants being cross-examined by their alleged perpetrator.

Secondary legislation raising fees for lawyers belonging to the qualified legal representative (QLR) scheme came into force on 31 May. The scheme was brought in as part of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which banned alleged abusers from questioning complainants in the family and civil court.

Society president Nick Emmerson welcomed the ministry’s commitment to improving the scheme, but was concerned the increase is not enough to make the scheme sustainable.

Emmerson said: ‘The Law Society’s recent research by Frontier Economics suggests that more than a 10% increase would be needed to make legal aid fees sustainable and the same would apply to the QLR fees. We will need to monitor this closely to understand if it is having the required impact. While this is a positive step in the right direction, we won’t know the impact it is having unless the scheme is properly evaluated.

‘Our members often tell us about issues with the scheme and the lack of QLRs available across the country. A thorough examination would bring to light what else needs to be improved. We encourage the next UK government to closely monitor this change to ensure it makes the scheme sustainable and encourages sufficient practitioners to sign up to provide this vital service.’

Expenses, enabling lawyers to claim up to £180 for travel, up to £100 per night for hotel accommodation and up to £21 per night on food, were added to the scheme last December.

 

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