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Domestic Violence, Injunctions, and Emergency Remedies

Being the victim of domestic violence is frightening, and something that we, as a firm, see far too many cases of.  Please know that you are far from alone and far from powerless.  At OTS Solicitors we will provide advice on how to obtain non-molestation and occupation orders, so you and your children can live in your home and go about your day to day life without fear.

To speak to our top family law solicitors based in the City of London, please contact us on 0203 959 9123, or contact us through our online enquiry form.

For more on how our Family team can help you, visit our dedicated Family Law site.

Domestic violence is sadly very common and can happen to anyone, regardless of religion, race or socio-economic status.  According to Refuge, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Domestic violence can take many forms, including:

  • pushing, punching, shoving, hitting and other acts of unwanted physical force
  • sexual violence such as rape or forcing someone to perform sexual acts they are not comfortable with
  • controlling, coercive behaviour, for example, isolating a person from family and friends, putting them down, refusing to allow them access to money, controlling what the wear and who they see
  • stalking and harassment

How we can help

Our family law team in London is headed by Behzad Sharmin.  Cases involving domestic violence can be highly emotive, requiring particularly sensitive handling, as clients may have endured many years of abuse.

Your safety comes first

As professional solicitors, our number one priority is your safety and the safety of your children.  If we believe you should apply for a non-molestation order exparte – meaning it will be granted urgently and confidentially (until notice is served on the respondent) - then we will advise you accordingly.

Because Rahki and her team have such a solid reputation for providing exemplary family law service, we have built up trusted relationships with counsellors and other support organisations, whom we can refer you to if required.

How the law can protect victims of domestic violence

If domestic violence has occurred, you can apply to the court for an injunction to protect you and your children.  The most common type of mandatory injunction in domestic violence and abuse cases is a Non-Molestation Order and/or an Occupation Order.

A Non-Molestation Order is designed to protect you from actual or threatened physical violence from your abuser.  Your abuser will also be banned from stalking or pestering you.  The protection offered by a Non-Molestation Order against domestic violence can be extended to your children.

An Occupation Order may give you the right to occupy the property you shared with your abuser, and restrict or prevent your abuser from entering the home.

To apply for a Non-Molestation Order or an Occupation Order, you must be an “associated person.”

This means you and your partner or ex-partner must be related or associated with each other in one of the following ways:

  • are or were ever married or engaged to be married
  • are or were ever in a civil partnership or had agreed to form a civil partnership
  • are or were living together (this includes same-sex and opposite-sex couples)
  • live or have lived in the same household, for example as a flat share (but not as a tenant, border, lodger or employee)
  • are relatives, including parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews or first cousins (whether by blood, marriage, civil partnership or cohabitation)
  • have a child together
  • have or had parental responsibility for the same child
  • are parties to the same family proceedings for the same child
  • are or were in an intimate personal relationship of significant duration

To apply for an Occupation Order, you must have a legal right to live in the home.

Applications for Occupation Orders and Non-Molestation Orders can be made either with or without the respondent’s knowledge (known as ex-parte or on notice).  If you are in immediate danger, an application made ex-parte can provide protection more quickly than if the application were made on notice.  If an ex-parte application order is granted, it will only take effect after the respondent receives it.  This is to ensure that they do not unknowingly breach a court order.  A court hearing date with both parties’ present will be set.  This is known as a return date, and it is to allow the respondent to raise a defence against the order being made.

It is less common for an Occupation Order to be made ex-parte.  An occupation order restricting a co-owner's proprietary rights is sometimes seen as a draconian remedy, and the courts have emphasised that it is only to be used as a remedy of last resort.  Therefore, it is imperative to instruct an experienced family solicitor to advise you on the best way to apply to the court for an Occupation Order.

courts will normally make the hearing of Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders a priority; hearings are normally held within a few days.

We understand that applying for injunctive relief against an abusive partner is highly stressful.  You can rely on us to manage the process for you in a compassionate, professional manner, ensuring the safety and best interest of your children are our first priority.

Penalties for breach of a Non-Molestation or Occupation Order

It is a criminal offence to breach a Non-Molestation Order and can lead to up to five years in prison.  Breaching an Occupation Order is not a criminal offence; however, the court can attach a power to arrest when granting the order.

If you believe your Non-Molestation or Occupation Order has been breached, it is best to call the police immediately.  Our team can provide emergency assistance when required, to apply to have an injunction order enforced.

For a more detailed discussion regarding getting an injunction, or to book an appointment with a member of our family law team, please call us now on 0203 959 9123.

Your Questions and our answers about Domestic Violence, Injunctions, and Emergency Remedies

Thank you for your enquiry.

It is possible to start divorce proceedings without including your address in the divorce petition or in any of the court paperwork sent to your husband by the divorce court.

If you need to resolve financial claims, for example ownership of the family home or maintenance for yourself or a share of your husband’s pension, it is possible to start financial court proceedings without having to disclose your address to your husband.

If you have ongoing domestic violence or harassment concerns, you could also consider the option of applying to the family court for an injunction order. This type of court order is called a non-molestation injunction. The injunction order would prevent your husband from harassing you.

If you have children and are worried about their safety or welfare then the family court can also make orders to protect your children.

As you do need expert divorce advice we would ask you to call us on 0203 959 9123 to arrange an appointment with a member of the family law team to discuss your divorce options and to see how we can help you.

Thank you for your enquiry.

From the information provided, I understand that you have contact social services in regard to the children’s welfare whilst under their father’s care. Following an initial contact, the child services team will allocate a social worker to consider your report and provide a report with recommendations. If you feel that it is not safe for the children’s father to continue contact, you can apply to the Family Court for a formal Child Arrangements Order which sets out the level of contact the children have with their father. In addition, if you would like to limit his ability to attend the school or your home without prior notice, then you can also apply for a Prohibited Steps Order. For more information, please call 02039599123 or click here 

Essentially no parent can stop the other from seeing their own children unless there are safety concerns, risk of harm to the child or if they are victims of domestic violence (DV) or may be subjected to such. Indeed any assertions from the alleging party will have to ensure there is a determination made by the court or authorities before any ties or contact can be terminated or suspended altogether. In the process of this investigation contact may sometimes be limited or suspended.

If a compromise or agreement cannot be reached between the parties for contact to take place, the parent prevented from seeing or spending time with the children will have to make an application to the court for a Child Arrangements Order (CAO). If discussions with your partner have failed or broken down, and you have exhausted all attempts and avenues to compromise, you may then apply to the court to issue proceedings for a CAO; for contact.

Unless there are exceptional exemptions like DV, the Application would have to attend mediation first to try and resolve issues before they can make an application to the court. The other party is encouraged to attend but if they choose not to, the Applicant may then issue proceedings. This is on the assumption that the Applicant parent concerned has parental responsibility which gives then a bundle of rights to exercise this privilege.

Please make an appointment or feel free to give us a call to chat first on 02039 599 123 and see how our expertise in children matters may assist you further. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your enquiry.

There are options for you to consider in respect of your baby and raising your concerns in respect of her safety if the father was to have contact. One of which is mediation whereby an independent 3rd party can assist you in reaching an agreement with the child’s dad and will also give you the opportunity to address your concerns about his girlfriend. If you are unable to reach an agreement you may wish to pursue court proceedings in order to regulate contact and also raise your concerns about the safety and wellbeing of your child while in the father’s care. Should you wish to seek further advice or instruct us in respect of your family matter, please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to assist.

You can call us on 0203 959 9123 or contact us here.

Thank you for your enquiry.

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