Understanding the Law and Practice in Domestic Abuse Cases

This legal workshop will equip delegates with the knowledge and practical tools to develop their approach to identifying and engaging with clients, including women, children and families, who have experienced domestic abuse.

This session constitutes 1 of 2 of the Scottish Women's Rights Centre's (SWRC) Domestic Abuse Training for Solicitors. There are 2 modules in total and they can be taken interchangeably. Completion of both will give you access to our network of SWRC approved solicitors. Please check our website for upcoming training dates.

Please note that when you sign up to one of our solicitor training sessions, you will receive an email confirmation containing a discount code which you can use to book the other module for the discounted price of £50.

Helen Hughes, an expert legal practitioner with over 30 years' experience in this area of law, will be delivering and facilitating the workshop. It will be presented in a facilitative manner, allowing delegates to work through a number of practical case studies in small groups, with ample opportunity for discussion, reflection and questions.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop, delegates will be able to:

• Identify the key issues that arise when providing legal advice to women, children and families who have experienced domestic abuse

• Explain the law and apply the appropriate procedure for seeking protective orders

• Explain and apply the private law procedures for safeguarding children where domestic abuse is alleged

• Effectively engage with other issues that arise in child contact and residence cases where domestic abuse is alleged

• Reflect on their understanding of, and current practice in, working with women, children and families who have experienced domestic abuse.

Target Audience

This workshop will primarily be of interest to solicitors, advocates and other legal professionals working with women, children and families who have experienced domestic abuse. It may also be of wider interest to professionals, such as advocacy workers, social workers, and the police, who support women, children and families through these legal processes. Please note that to be invited to join the SWRC Solicitor Sign-Posting Network, you must be 2-years post qualification. The SWRC and Helen have co-developed a training for Newly Qualified Solicitors, please see the SWRC training calendar for dates.

Facilitator

Helen Hughes is a partner with Helen Hughes Family Law and is a specialist in Family Law, with particular expertise in cases involving domestic abuse. She has practiced in this area of law since 1987, past Chair of the Family Law Association, and has frequently been involved in consultations with the Scottish Government and SLAB on legal aid issues in family law and domestic abuse cases. Helen is editor and co-author of Domestic Abuse and Scots Law and a former editor of Greens Practice Styles. She is a member of the advisory board of the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre and is also a mediator accredited by the Law Society of Scotland. Helen is currently the Chair of CALM. She regularly provides training to solicitors and the public sector on family law, mediation and issues arising in domestic abuse cases.

Agenda

9.00am – 9.15am Registration

9.15am – 10.30am Overview of the law in relation to obtaining Protective Orders

10.30am – 11.15am Case studies on Protective Orders, small breakout groups consider what the Law is, what Orders can be sought and discussion on style Writs and Pleadings

11.15am – 11.45am Discussion in the whole group

11.45am – 12.15pm Comfort break

12.15pm – 13.00pm Overview of the Law in relation to private Law procedures for safeguarding children where there are domestic abuse issues

13.00pm – 13.30pm Case studies on cases involving issues of domestic abuse in child contact and residence cases. The breakout groups will consider the applicable Law, style Writs, Pleadings and how to conduct such proceedings

13.30pm – 13.50pm Discussion in the whole group

13.50pm - 14.00pm Evaluation and closing

Accessibility

The session will take place virtually on Zoom. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch with us on reegan.bonar@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.