Non-Molestation Order Solicitors
A Non-Molestation Order can provide important legal protection for people experiencing domestic abuse, harassment, threats or intimidation. If you are worried about your safety or that of your children, our expert domestic abuse solicitors at جودمان راي للمحاماة can provide sensitive advice and support to help you feel safer and more secure.
What is a Non-Molestation Order?
A Non-Molestation Order is a court order designed to protect you or your children from domestic abuse, harassment, threats or intimidation.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse from a partner, former partner, family member or another person you are closely connected to, a Non-Molestation Order can provide important legal protection and prevent the abusive person from contacting, approaching or molesting you.
Non-Molestation Orders can be particularly important where there is an immediate risk of harm or where abusive behaviour is continuing after a relationship has ended.
في جودمان راي للمحاماة, our specialist Domestic Abuse team can advise you about applying for a Non-Molestation Order and help you take urgent steps to protect yourself and your family.
What does a Non-Molestation Order prevent?
A Non-Molestation Order can prohibit a person from behaving towards you or your children in a way that causes harassment, alarm or distress.
The precise terms of the order will depend on your circumstances. For example, an order may prevent someone from:
- Contacting you directly or indirectly.
- Coming to your home or workplace.
- Approaching you in public.
- Threatening or intimidating you.
- Using social media or other forms of communication to contact you.
- Encouraging another person to contact or harass you.
- Entering a specified area around your home or another relevant location.
The court can tailor the terms of a Non-Molestation Order to the particular circumstances and risks involved.
Who can apply for a Non-Molestation Order?
You may be able to apply for a Non-Molestation Order if you have experienced domestic abuse and the person you need protection from is someone with whom you have, or have had, a relevant personal or family connection.
This can include:
- A current or former husband, wife or civil partner.
- A current or former partner.
- A fiancé, fiancée or former fiancé or fiancée in certain circumstances.
- A close family member.
- Someone with whom you have lived or previously lived.
- The parent of your child.
- Someone who has parental responsibility for your child.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for a Non-Molestation Order, our specialist solicitors can advise you about your circumstances.
Apply for an Emergency Non-Molestation Order
If you are at immediate risk of harm, you may be able to apply for an emergency Non-Molestation Order. Goodman Ray Solicitors can provide urgent, sensitive advice, helping you understand your options, prepare your application and seek the legal protection you and your family need.
What behaviour can a Non-Molestation Order protect me from?
Domestic abuse does not have to involve physical violence.
A Non-Molestation Order can be appropriate where you are experiencing a range of abusive behaviour, including:
- Physical abuse.
- Threats of violence.
- Sexual abuse.
- Emotional or psychological abuse.
- Coercive or controlling behaviour.
- Harassment or intimidation.
- Stalking.
- Excessive or unwanted contact.
- Threats towards children or other family members.
- Financial or economic abuse.
- Abusive behaviour following the breakdown of a relationship.
You do not necessarily need to have reported the abuse to the police before applying for a Non-Molestation Order.
How do I apply for a Non-Molestation Order?
An application for a Non-Molestation Order is made to the Family Court using Form FL401.
You will normally need to provide a supporting witness statement explaining what has happened, why you require protection and the type of protection you are asking the court to provide.
The court will consider the information and evidence provided when deciding whether an order should be made.
You can apply online, by email or post, or in person at the Family Court. There is no court fee for making an application.
Our solicitors can help you understand the application process, prepare the necessary evidence and represent you at court where required.
Can I get a Non-Molestation Order urgently?
Yes. In cases where there is an immediate risk to your safety, it may be possible to ask the court to make an order urgently.
In particularly serious circumstances, the court may consider making an order without the person you are seeking protection from being present at the initial hearing. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘without notice’ application.
The court will consider the circumstances and the evidence before deciding whether an urgent order is appropriate.
If you are in immediate danger, you should contact the police.
Where urgent legal protection is required, our Domestic Abuse team can advise you about the options available and the steps that may need to be taken quickly.
نهجنا
في جودمان راي للمحاماة, we have a dedicated team specialising in domestic abuse and supporting people who need urgent protection from abusive behaviour.
We understand that seeking a Non-Molestation Order can be a difficult and emotional step. Our solicitors provide clear, practical advice and will explain your options so that you can make informed decisions about your safety and that of your children.
We can advise you on the evidence required, prepare your application and supporting statement, and represent you throughout the court process where necessary.
We also understand that domestic abuse can be connected to wider family law issues. Where appropriate, we can advise you about child arrangements, occupation of the family home, divorce and other legal matters arising from domestic abuse.
Get in touch with our Non-Molestation Order Solicitors
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, harassment, threats or intimidation, our specialist Non-Molestation Order Solicitors can help you understand your legal options and take steps to protect yourself and your family.
We can advise you about making an urgent application, explain the protection a Non-Molestation Order can provide and support you throughout the court process.
Your safety is important. If you are concerned about your immediate safety, contact the police. If you need legal advice about obtaining a Non-Molestation Order, contact Goodman Ray Solicitors on 020 7608 1227 أو راسلنا على mail@goodmanray.com for help understanding your legal options and securing the protection you need.
اتصل بنا
☎️ اتصل بـ لندن المكتب على 020 7608 1227
☎️ اتصل بـ برايتون المكتب على 01273 090211
Non-Molestation Order FAQs
Where there is an urgent need for protection, the court can consider an application quickly. In appropriate circumstances, an application can be made without the respondent being present at the initial hearing. The court will decide whether this is justified based on the circumstances and evidence.
If you need urgent advice about obtaining a Non-Molestation Order, the expert Domestic Abuse Solicitors at جودمان راي للمحاماة are here to help.
No. Domestic abuse can take many forms and does not necessarily involve physical violence. Evidence of threats, harassment, intimidation, coercive or controlling behaviour and other forms of abuse may be relevant when the court considers an application.
جودمان راي للمحاماة‘ expert Domestic Abuse team can help you understand your options and advise on the evidence you may need.
This depends on the specific terms of the order. A Non-Molestation Order can prohibit direct or indirect contact and may prevent someone from approaching you or entering specified areas. You should follow the precise terms of the order and seek legal advice if you are unsure what they mean.
For clear and sensitive advice about the terms of a Non-Molestation Order, speak to the Domestic Abuse Solicitors at جودمان راي للمحاماة.
Yes, potentially. Former partners can fall within the category of people against whom a Non-Molestation Order can be sought. Eligibility depends on the nature of your relationship and the circumstances of the case.
If you are concerned about an ex-partner’s behaviour, جودمان راي للمحاماة can provide expert advice about whether a Non-Molestation Order may be appropriate for you.
A breach of a Non-Molestation Order is a criminal offence. You should report any suspected breach to the police, particularly if you are at immediate risk. Keep records of relevant messages, calls or other evidence where it is safe to do so.
If you are concerned that a Non-Molestation Order has been breached, جودمان راي للمحاماة can provide sensitive legal advice about the steps available to you.
Depending on the circumstances and the terms of the order, a Non-Molestation Order can provide protection for a relevant child. Where there are wider concerns about contact between a child and another parent, additional family law orders may also be appropriate.
إن جودمان راي للمحاماة Domestic Abuse team can advise you on the protection available for you and your children, including any additional family law orders that may be needed.
You may be eligible for legal aid depending on your circumstances and the relevant financial and evidential criteria. Our solicitors can advise you about funding options and whether you may qualify for legal aid.
جودمان راي للمحاماة can discuss your circumstances with you and explain the funding options that may be available, including whether you could be eligible for legal aid.
The length of a Non-Molestation Order will depend on the circumstances of the individual case and the terms imposed by the court. Orders are often made for a specified period, although the court can consider extending an existing order where continued protection is required. If your order is approaching its expiry date and you remain concerned about your safety, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
For advice about extending a Non-Molestation Order or obtaining continued protection, contact the expert Domestic Abuse Solicitors at جودمان راي للمحاماة.
Breaching a Non-Molestation Order is a criminal offence. If someone breaches the terms of an order, you should report the breach to the police. The police can arrest the person if appropriate and the breach may result in criminal prosecution. The maximum penalty for breaching a Non-Molestation Order is five years’ imprisonment.
It is important to keep evidence of any alleged breach, including messages, emails, call records, photographs or other relevant information, where it is safe to do so.
If you are concerned about a breach, جودمان راي للمحاماة‘ experienced Domestic Abuse Solicitors can advise you on the appropriate steps to take.
A Non-Molestation Order can protect you and, where appropriate, a relevant child from abuse or harassment. The court can consider the circumstances affecting children when deciding what protections are necessary. Where there are concerns about your children’s safety or contact with the other parent, you may also need advice about other family law applications, including a Child Arrangements Order or Prohibited Steps Order.
جودمان راي للمحاماة‘ specialist Domestic Abuse team can provide compassionate advice about protecting you and your children and help you understand your legal options.
Although both are injunctions under the Family Law Act 1996, Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders serve different purposes. A Non-Molestation Order is primarily concerned with protecting you or a child from abuse, harassment or intimidation. An Occupation Order deals with who can live in the family home or who can enter or remain in particular premises. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to apply for both orders.
For specialist advice about Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and other forms of protection, contact جودمان راي للمحاماة today.
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) is a newer form of protection designed to protect victims from domestic abuse and the risk of further abuse.
DAPOs are currently being piloted in selected areas. Whether a DAPO is available depends primarily on where the person responsible for the abuse lives.
If a DAPO is not available, a Non-Molestation Order may provide an alternative form of protection.
The most appropriate order will depend on your circumstances, the nature of the abuse and the level of protection required.
جودمان راي للمحاماة‘ expert Domestic Abuse Solicitors can help you understand which form of protection may be most appropriate for your circumstances.
