Mayor criticises courts for punishing domestic abuse victims

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has voiced strong criticism of fast-track court procedures that result in domestic violence victims being convicted for unpaid household bills. He has urged the government to enact swift reforms to prevent the justice system from falling into "disrepute".

The Single Justice Procedure (SJP), a system where magistrates decide low-level criminal cases alone based on written evidence, is being used to prosecute women who have experienced abuse. These women are facing convictions for falling behind on payments for items such as car tax and TV licences.

Victims' pleas ignored

Court documents show that these women have pleaded that their financial difficulties stemmed from controlling partners who blocked their access to money, or from the necessity of fleeing abusive homes. Despite these explanations, convictions have been secured.

Speaking at the launch of a £15.6 million safety fund for women and girls, Mayor Khan stated that such convictions "shouldn't be happening". He called on the government to overhaul the SJP system to maintain public confidence in the courts.

"There are too many women who are criminalised who should not be," he told the Press Association. "I know that the Justice Secretary and, in particular, the Justice Minister Sarah Sackman are seized of this. It shouldn't be happening, and it's really important, in addition to magistrates and judges being more sensitive to these issues, that the whole justice system understands the unfairness that currently exists."

Calls for reform

The government, which consulted on SJP reform last spring, has stated that proposed changes "will be set out shortly". The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that defendants in SJP cases can detail their circumstances, including domestic abuse, and magistrates "must consider that information before making a decision".

The Ministry of Justice added that the government is reviewing what further support can be provided to vulnerable defendants. Both the DVLA and TV Licensing have indicated that their officials do not routinely see mitigation details due to the current court system's design.

Case examples

Recent convictions include a woman from Hull who failed to tax her car. She informed South Shields Magistrates' Court that she had been thrown out of her home by an abusive ex-partner who controlled all her finances, including vehicle tax. She received a six-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £43 in costs and settle the £49.17 car tax bill.

In a separate case, a Sheffield woman was convicted for not paying her TV licence. She told York Magistrates' Court she had endured extreme domestic violence and coercive control, with her partner at the time withholding funds, leading to her falling behind on bills. She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £120 in costs and a £26 victim surcharge within 28 days.

Magistrates have previously stated they often feel rushed in the SJP system, which handles thousands of cases daily, and that they do not feel sufficiently trained on their available powers. The DVLA has suggested that all prosecutors should review mitigation letters before cases reach a magistrate.

TV Licensing stated that criminal prosecution is "always a last resort" and that their officers inquire about personal circumstances affecting licence payments during doorstep visits. The organisation has updated its letters to prosecuted individuals, advising them to contact the prosecutor to explain reasons if difficult personal circumstances contributed to the offence, noting that cases might be reconsidered.