The government has delayed its responses to the legal aid and civil costs consultations until after Easter, and will ‘review’ the definition of domestic violence, the legal aid minister has said.

Jonathan Djanogly had previously said the government would respond before Easter, but speaking at the National Pro Bono Centre’s Question Time debate last week, he revealed the change in timetable.

The Ministry of Justice received more than 5,000 responses to the legal aid consultation, which closed on 14 February.

In its consideration of the responses, Djanogly said the MoJ is reviewing the definition of ‘domestic violence’ to be used when granting legal aid in private family law cases, and considering implementing a regime for cases where there are ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing the use of mediation, saying it is looking to extend this in civil courts and tribunals, and in the public sector, because it is cheaper, faster and less confrontational than court.