At the European Conference on Domestic Violence 2025 in Barcelona last week, Claire Edgar, Partner and specialist in domestic violence and family law at Francis Hanna & Co. Solicitors, delivered a presentation on the impact of Northern Ireland’s 2021 domestic abuse legislation as it plays out in the Family Courts in Northern Ireland.

Presenting alongside Grainne Murphy KC and Sonya McMullan of Women’s Aid NI, Claire drew attention to legislative and systemic gaps that continue to affect women and children caught in abusive family relationships.

Claire’s talk focused on how recent changes in legislation, in particular the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, have impacted the lived experience of victims in the Family Courts.

Drawing on her legal practice, Claire highlighted the need for sufficient funding and resources for the Family Courts to help manage the backlog of domestic abuse cases, to properly run fact-finding hearings, and to ensure that special measures are utilised.

She further highlighted the need for monitoring of Contact Orders in cases where abuse is established, to see whether child welfare and emotional safety are being protected.

Claire also outlined details of the Legal Aid Waiver Scheme which is available to victims of domestic abuse who are defending applications brought to the Family Courts by their perpetrators and called for a greater awareness and use of this scheme among legal professionals.

Claire commented:- “I was delighted to take part in the European Conference on Domestic Violence alongside so many dedicated professionals. Northern Ireland’s 2021 domestic abuse legislation was a vital step forward in recognising coercive control and the impact on children — but we must continue working to ensure these legal protections are fully realised in practice.”

Northern Ireland continues to contend with troubling femicide statistics and domestic homicide rates, alongside a significant level of domestic abuse being reported to PSNI. While legal reforms have sought to address these, systemic and procedural gaps threaten to undermine their effectiveness. For survivors, particularly women and children, delays or weak implementation mean lives are still at risk.   For lawyers, policymakers, and the wider public, the law must be more than words, it must translate into safer outcomes for women and children.

Claire Edgar is a well‑respected practitioner in family law in Northern Ireland who also chairs the Belfast Domestic Violence Partnership Protection and Justice Working Group. For advice and assistance any domestic abuse or family law matter, contact Claire on cedgar@fhanna.co.uk or call us on028 9024 3901