The court will be held one day a week at North Avon Magistrates' Court and is expected to start early next year.

The SDV court will receive a portion of a �2m Home Office fund which will be spent on specialised training.

The court will involve North Avon Magistrates' Court, the Crime Prosecution Service and Survive and Victim Support (Witness Service).

'Reduce violence'

Charlotte Badlan, domestic violence coordinator for Safer South Gloucestershire, said: "The new SDV Court represents a milestone in our fight to reduce domestic violence in South Gloucestershire.

"For the first time, we can assure victims that their cases will always involve specialists who understand the complexities of domestic violence and can support them fully throughout court proceedings."

As well as operating on a set day of the week, one or more court rooms will be allocated to deal solely with domestic violence cases.

Victims and witnesses will also be given a separate waiting area and additional support will be provided on the day at court.

A total of 2,527 incidents of domestic violence were reported to police in South Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2006.