On the 30th June 2025, the President of the Family Division heard a case in the High Court which examined the issue of whether a solicitor or barrister representing a defendant in criminal proceedings should also be able to act as a Qualified Legal Representative (‘QLR’) in Family Court proceedings for that same defendant.
Right to Equality was invited to make submissions on this issue when there are allegations of domestic abuse, sexual violence, rape and/or coercive and controlling behaviour in family court proceedings and that party has been charged in the criminal proceedings with offences arising from the same events.
Our submissions set out why Right to Equality does not consider that a solicitor or barrister should be permitted to take on this dual role.
You can read our redacted submissions here.
Ultimately the court found in favour of the survivor, recognising that the dual appointment was incompatible with the principles and protections enshrined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.