Why We Must End the Legal Aid Means Test for Domestic Abuse Survivor.

​For many survivors of domestic abuse, the most invisible bruises are the ones left on their bank accounts. Economic abuse, the systematic restriction of a partner’s access to money, transport, and basic necessities, is a devastating tool used by abusers to strip victims of their independence. It leaves them not just emotionally shattered, but financially paralysed.

​Ben Maguire MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General, has seen the reality of this crisis firsthand in his North Cornwall constituency. Far too often, survivors find themselves trapped in a "justice gap." They are desperate to flee or seek legal protection, but because they technically "own" a share of a family home or have a joint account they cannot actually access, they fail the Government’s rigid legal aid means test.

​A Barrier to Justice
​The current system often forces survivors into a harrowing choice: represent themselves in court against their abuser—potentially being cross-examined by the person who harmed them, or fall into lifelong debt just to secure their safety.

​Ben Maguire MP recently challenged the Solicitor General in Parliament on this very issue, advocating for a more compassionate, common-sense approach. He is pushing for a system that recognizes the reality of coercive control.

​"I’ve worked on a number of Domestic Abuse cases brought to me by constituents and each one has made me realise that the justice system needs real reform to properly support domestic abuse survivors. It’s been a long running campaign of mine up in Parliament, and my work continues on their behalf, calling for better protections for survivors."
— Ben Maguire MP
​The Liberal Democrat Commitment
​Liberal Democrats believe that access to justice should be a fundamental right, not a luxury reserved for those who can afford it. The Liberal Democrats policy is clear, we must fix the broken legal aid system to ensure no survivor is left to face their abuser alone.

​"I have contacted the Solicitor General to push for a meeting with justice ministers on behalf of survivors, pointing out that many survivors face difficulty in domestic abuse cases where ‘high risk’ victims might be wrongly assessed by the Government’s criteria." Ben Maguire MP- Shadow Attorney General

​The Liberal Democrats are calling for:
​An Urgent Review of Legal Aid and Means Testing: To ensure victims of domestic and sexual violence have proper legal representation regardless of their financial status.
​A "Right to Justice": Establishing a new right to affordable, reasonable legal assistance to make the system simpler and more generous, as outlined in our 2024 Manifesto.

​Standing Up for Victims of Domestic Abuse 
​Economic abuse is about control. By denying survivors legal aid based on "assets" they cannot use, the state inadvertently helps the abuser maintain that control.

​Ben Maguire’s work is part of a wider Liberal Democrat mission to treat domestic abuse as the national emergency it is. From pushing for "Raneem’s Law" to embedding domestic abuse specialists in every 999 control room, we are committed to a trauma-informed justice system.

​"I often deal with complex domestic abuse cases on behalf of my constituents in North Cornwall. Many are victims of economic abuse, where partners will restrict bank accounts, access to funds, and leave the victim financially alone and helpless. That's why I recently raised the issue in Parliament... to consider removing the legal aid means test for domestic abuse survivors." Ben Maguire MP

​How You Can Help: Join the Campaign
​Ben has launched a formal petition to demand the Government stops means-testing safety. We need your voice to show the Ministry of Justice that the current system is failing the most vulnerable.

​Sign the Petition here to support Ben’s campaign for a fairer justice system.

Take Action: Contact Your MP
​We need a groundswell of support across Parliament to make this change a reality. You can help by asking your own representative to join Ben  in this fight.

​Email your local MP today and ask them to work with Ben Maguire MP to ensure a review of legal aid for domestic abuse survivors happens and that its recommendations are implemented as a matter of urgency.

​You can find the contact information for your local MP by entering your postcode at:

​It is time to stop means-testing safety. We will continue to fight until every survivor has the legal backing they need to reclaim their life and their freedom.

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