Northern Ireland · 1998
Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998
Protects: Associated persons in Northern Ireland.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
Summary
Northern Ireland equivalent of the Family Law Act 1996 — provides non-molestation and occupation orders, with breach of non-molestation orders being a criminal offence.
Key provisions
Articles 20-21
Non-molestation and occupation orders, including ex parte.
What this Act affects
The specific protective court orders and decision points this Act creates or feeds — with the exact statutory section.
- Non-Molestation Order (NI) →
Articles 20 & 25NI equivalent of FLA 1996 NMO. Breach is a criminal offence — up to 5 years (Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 as extended).
- Occupation Order (NI) →
Articles 11–17Regulates occupation of the family home; power of arrest available.