Victims of crime are now entitled to financial assistance for expenses relating to coroner's inquests and parole hearings, regardless of their financial situation.
The Government says amendments to the Legal Services Act 2000, passed in December last year, make government services more accessible to victims of crime.
Offenders have long been granted access to legal aid. But victims of crime and their families have been asset-tested and sometimes asked to repay legal aid grants.
They will now have their lawyer's fees paid at coroner's inquests or parole board hearings and that will not be subjected to asset-testing.
Justice Minister Simon Power says it is unacceptable that victims of crime should have to deal with added financial stress or have to repay legal aid grants where a lawyer is required.
Mr Power says the changes show the Government's commitment to recognise victims of crime.
Judy Ashton, whose daughter Debbie was killed by a disqualified driver in December 2006, says the change to the act means victims of crime will no longer have to prove they are in financial hardship to qualify for assistance.
