Domestic abuse and divorce: will new reforms finally recognise the financial cost?

Olivia Piercy, partner in the family team at Hunters Law LLP and co-chair of Resolution’s working party on economic abuse, welcomes the government’s latest focus on the financial impact of domestic abuse during relationship breakdown.

Olivia Piercy, Partner in the Family team at Hunters Law LLP and co-chair of Resolution’s working party on economic abuse, commented:

“The Government’s publication on Friday of its White Paper on the financial aspects of relationship breakdown will include important questions about the treatment of domestic abuse survivors in financial disputes. This confronts a long‑standing and under‑recognised issue within the family justice system. For too long, the financial consequences of abuse have been treated as peripheral rather than integral to achieving fair outcomes for survivors and their children.

“As co-chair of Resolution’s working party on economic abuse, this consultation represents a significant and welcome opportunity to ensure that the law more effectively reflects the economic realities faced by survivors. It is essential that any reform ensures the financial impact of abuse is properly recognised and addressed within the courts’ decision‑making and that the law and procedure prevents economic abuse from being perpetrated through the financial remedy process.”