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Protection

Protective court orders

Civil and criminal court orders that can protect you and your children. Each page shows who can apply, the grounds, evidence needed, duration and what happens if breached.

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.

In plain English

A court can order someone to stay away from you, stop contacting you, and even leave the home — even if the home is in their name.

Some of these you apply for yourself; others the police or a criminal court put in place for you. You usually don't need to have reported anything to the police first.

Breaking one is a criminal offence in most cases. Each page below tells you who can apply, what you'll need to show, how long it lasts, and what happens if they break it.