For women who have experienced domestic violence, leaving an abusive relationship is often only the first step towards building a safe and independent life. Legally ending a marriage may require legal assistance, particularly when a woman faces financial constraints or is uncertain about court procedures.
The Legal Aid Centre of the Kosovo Law Institute (LAC-KLI) provided legal assistance to a survivor of psychological and physical abuse by her husband. After reporting the abuse to the police, she left the home she shared with her husband and sought to legally end her marriage.
When she approached LAC-KLI, divorce proceedings had not yet begun. Given her need for legal assistance, financial constraints and the need to travel abroad, LAC-KLI supported her throughout the process.
The centre first drafted and filed the divorce petition with the court. To help prevent delays, it contacted the court to enquire about the scheduling of the preliminary hearing. The survivor was also assigned a lawyer who represented her and provided legal support throughout the proceedings. Following the hearing, the divorce was finalised.
With this support, the survivor was able to obtain a divorce free of charge, with legal guidance and representation throughout the court proceedings. For her, finalising the divorce marked the conclusion of an important legal process following her departure from an abusive relationship and enabled her to move forward with her life independently of her former husband.
This case highlights the importance of accessible legal aid for survivors of violence, particularly those facing financial or procedural barriers. By preparing the necessary documentation, communicating with the court, arranging legal representation and providing ongoing guidance, LAC-KLI helped the survivor navigate the legal process and bring her marriage to an end.
This activity was carried out in close partnership between the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) and the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), with support from the East West Management Institute (EWMI)
