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<p>The Qualified Legal Representative (QLR) scheme was introduced in July 2022, following
the Government’s Domestic Abuse Act (2021) which prohibited unrepresented perpetrators
or alleged perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their victims or alleged victims
in family and civil proceedings, and vice versa. The prohibition ensures that vulnerable
victims and witnesses are not traumatised by being cross-examined directly by their
alleged perpetrator.</p><p>As of 20 March 2024, there are currently 366 QLRs registered
to undertake work in the family courts and 78 QLRs registered to undertake work in
the civil courts. We do not hold central data on total registrations since the publication
of the statutory guidance.</p><p>Circumstances under which a QLR is required vary,
for example, depending on whether parties have their own representation, and decisions
on which cases require QLRs are taken by the courts. We do not collect data centrally
on how many cases have required a QLR, or the number of QLRs that have presented cases
under the scheme.</p><p>We do not hold central data on how many QLRs have completed
training, which they are able to access from a range of external providers. The Government
encourages legal professionals to take up this important work to assist in both the
family and civil courts, and to complete the required training as early as practicable.</p>
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