Blackstone's Guide to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021

The Blackstone's Guide series delivers concise and accessible books covering the latest legislative changes and amendments. They offer expert commentary on the scope, extent, and effects of the legislation accompanying a full copy of the Act itself.

Domestic abuse and violence have been variously tackled within the criminal and civil process. For the last decade violence against women and girls has been the focus for front line professionals in the statutory and voluntary sector and for those campaigning for law reform, culiminating in the enactment of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

The Blackstone's Guide to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is divided into four Parts. Part One will examine the context and background to the Act, providing a quick and accessible overview of the Act. Part Two breaks the Act down in full, providing a definition, meaning, and interpretation, as well as applications, or predicted applications, of use to practitioners practicing within the courts. Part Three considers the ongoing campaign for reform and the very latest developments which may have a bearing on practice, while also acknowledging and critiquing the limitations and omissions in the Act. The full text of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is reprinted in Part Four.

This Blackstone's Guide will explore the Act's provisions in a structured, sequential manner, with full consideration of the Act's coverage and its limitations.

Part 1
1. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 - A Snapshot, Susan Edwards
2. Domestic Violence and Abuse - Context and Background, Susan Edwards
Part 2
3. Definition of 'Domestic Abuse', Vanessa Bettinson
4. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner (and Domestic Homicide Reviews), Susan Edwards and Frank Mullane
5. Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders - Definitions, Breaches, and The Police Role, Martin O'Neill
6. Domestic Abuse Protection Orders - The Court Procedure, David Malone
7. Breaches of Orders - Notification and Police Powers, Martin O'Neill
8. Variation of Orders, Court Procedure and Other Provisions Including Electronic Monitoring, David Malone and Martin O'Neill
9. Powers to Make Other Orders in Court Proceedings Under This Part, Gillian Jones KC
10. Local Authority Support and Local Partnership Boards, Gill Hague, Sophie Jarrett and Tina Hemingway
11. Special Measures for Victims and Witnesses, Gillian Jones KC
12. Offences Involving Abusive or Violent Behaviour (S. 68), Vanessa Bettinson, Andy Phippen and Emma Bond
13. Offences Involving Abusive Or Violent Behaviour (S. 70- 71), Nogah Ofer, Felicia Davy, Jonathan Herring and Susan Edwards
14. Offences Committed Outside UK, David Malone
15. Offenders, Police and Prosecution, Martin O'Neill, Matthew Bland and Vicki Mclellan
16. Homelessness, Charging, Stephanie Harrison KC, Marina Sergides and Susan Edwards
17. Immigration, Contact Centres, Powers of Secretary of State, Pragna Patel, Janaya Walker, Fazeela Ishmael, Rob George and Susan Edwards
18. Schedules, Martin O'Neill, Susan Edwards and David Malone
Part 3
19. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 - Excluding Migrant Women, Pragna Patel and Janaya Walker
20. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 - Excluding Defences for Victims Who Offend or Allegedly Offend in the Context of Domestic Abuse, Katy Swaine Williams
Part 4
Copy of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021