Section 31T: Prohibition of cross-examination in person: evidence of domestic abuse

Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 · 1984 c. 42View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 4B: Family proceedings: prohibition of cross-examination in person

In family proceedings, where specified evidence is adduced that a person who is a witness has been the victim of domestic abuse carried out by a party to the proceedings, that party to the proceedings may not cross-examine the witness in person.

In family proceedings, where specified evidence is adduced that a person who is a party to the proceedings has been the victim of domestic abuse carried out by a witness, that party may not cross-examine the witness in person.

In this section—

  • “domestic abuse” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021;

  • “specified evidence” means evidence specified, or of a description specified, in regulations made by the Lord Chancellor.

Regulations under subsection (3) may provide that any evidence which satisfies the court that domestic abuse, or domestic abuse of a specified description, has occurred is specified evidence for the purposes of this section.

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This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.