More domestic abuse victims to qualify for legal aid after Government climbdown Mr Clarke told MPs last night the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill was being amended to make it easier for women to receive the taxpayer-funded support they need. He said that any victim whose partner or ex-partner had a caution for violence against them would be entitled to aid. The Government would also be adopting the Association of Chief Police Officers" definition of domestic violence, which not only includes physical abuse, but emotional and psychological harm as well. In another change a note from a doctor about the abuse would entitle women to the free legal support, while women admitted to a refuge and those receiving social services support will also be entitled to claim legal aid. Describing the changes as "fairly formidable," Mr Clarke said: "The Government has responded because of our concern on domestic violence pretty generously." We have moved in key areas beyond where we were and this evening we have to insist that is where we will end. Mr Clarke said there would be no more concessions. He said: "There comes a point where we will forget what the object of this is. We do want more of these cases not to be conducted by lawyers financed by the taxpayer engaging in adversarial litigation about where children are going to live, what maintenance should be paid by one party or the other, or what share of the matrimonial home is going to be owned by one party or the other. The changes were welcomed by Labour. But Shadow justice minister Jenny Jackson said "a shame that it took so long" for the Government to agree the changes. Ms Jackson said that under the original plans a woman who suffered a broken rib, and was seen by doctors, would not have qualified for legal aid. It would have remained the case even if a neighbour had attempted to rescue the woman from the home and the abusive partner had admitted his crimes to the police. Ms Jackson said she was still concerned that the "gateway" for women to access legal aid was too narrow, and accused the Government of being "shambolic." She said: "This is shambolic to present us with this at the very last minute. If domestic violence cases are excluded by the Governments" gateway than it is not fit for purpose." Mr Clarke made the about-turn following a series of defeats in the House of Lords. But he insisted the Government would not be making any further concessions. The WI had campaigned for legal aid cuts to continue to apply to women who experience, financial and psychological, as well as physical, abuse. Mr Clarke also made concessions to ensure legal aid would be available if a point of law was made in upper level tribunals and the courts. And he said the Government was prepared to look at extending this to lower level through regulation if needed, despite insisting lower level tribunals mostly look at point of fact which do not require the input of a lawyer. Extending aid to lower tribunals had been the thrust of the Liberal Democrat-backed amendment.