05 January 2017
Sir James Munby, England’s most senior family judge, has renewed calls for a bar on alleged domestic violence perpetrators cross-examining their victims in court. The practice is allowed in the family court but not in any criminal court. In a statement on the judiciary website, Sir James said reform was required as a matter of priority and would require primary legislation. He expressed disappointment at government ministers for being slow to respond to the issue and praised the continuing efforts of Women’s Aid to highlight the issue.
