Thank you for contacting me about domestic abuse and time limits.
I recognise the clear and terrible effects of Domestic Abuse and I welcome the fact that the Government has committed unprecedented amounts of funding to supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence during the pandemic and beyond.
Ministers have been very clear that all allegations must be investigated fully and pursued through the courts whenever possible.
On the specific point you raise regarding time limits for prosecution, in England and Wales there is no time limit for starting a prosecution for indictable offences, which can be tried in the Crown Court. However, a prosecution for a summary offence, which can only be tried in a magistrates’ court, must begin within six months of the day when the offence was committed, unless there is specific statutory provision for a different time limit.
I understand there are two opposing considerations to balance: the need for justice to be done and the right of suspects to finality and certainty.
As you may be aware, in 2020 the Ministry of Justice considered whether the six-month time limit should be extended as regards summary offences related to domestic abuse. Ministers concluded that extending the limit, or removing it completely, would be limited in its benefit, as common assault, the least serious of a range of offences against the person, covering acts such as a push or shove that does not lead to injury, is the only offence likely to be relevant in this context that is affected by the limit.
It is worth noting that the other assault offences, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, are not summary offences and there is no time limit for prosecuting them. It is also the case that there is not a time limit for prosecuting the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour, which the Domestic Abuse Act will extend to include post-separation abuse. I believe this reflects your position that justice must be served regardless of the time since the offence.
I hope this response reassures you that the Government is and has taken action to ensure justice is done in cases of Domestic Abuse.
Thank you again for contacting me.