Domestic Abuse Response Alliance places its 200th case

The collaborative pro bono initiative, Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA) has placed its 200th case. DARA provides advocacy services to survivors of domestic abuse who are not eligible for legal aid but who cannot afford to pay for private representation, providing them with legal help and court representation to the conclusion of their case.

DARA was founded in 2022 and now comprises 10 firms working with LawWorks, the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV), Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors (FLOWS) and Beck Fitzgerald. It has extended reach across the UK providing end-to-end representation and advocacy support for domestic abuse survivors seeking protective orders against their abusers in the Family Courts.

The DARA firms are: Akin Gump, Debevoise & Plimpton, DLA Piper, Eversheds, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Hogan Lovells, Latham & Watkins, Reed Smith, Slaughter and May and Travers Smith.

Jenny Beck KC and founder of specialist family law firm Beck Fitzgerald, says: "DARA provides a lifeline for survivors of domestic abuse. Legal aid is not available for all and DARA bridges the gap to widen access to justice in this critical area."

Gayathri Kamalanathan, Partner says: “The work of DARA has played an important part in increasing access to legal representation and in supporting survivors of domestic abuse to obtain legal protection. Volunteers across the contributing firms have been able to assist with the end-to-end case work and advocacy for vulnerable clients in seeking protective orders against their abusers.”