NON-MOLESTATION ORDERS
Protection From Abuse Through the Family Court
A Non-Molestation Order is a type of injunction that can protect you or your child from abuse or harassment. It can also prevent someone from coming to or near your home.
Who Can Apply for a Non-Molestation Order?
You can usually apply for a Non-Molestation Order if you need protection from someone you have a qualifying connection with.
Partners & Ex-Partners
A husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé(e), or someone you are or have been in an intimate relationship with.
Someone You Live/Lived With
Someone you currently live with or have previously lived with, where the eligibility rules are met.
Family Members
Certain close family members, such as a parent, sibling, aunt or uncle.
Connected Through a Child
For example, a parent of your child or someone with whom you share parental responsibility.
What is a Non-Molestation Order?
A Non-Molestation Order is a type of injunction made by the Family Court to protect you or a relevant child from abuse or harassment.
The court can place restrictions on the person the order is made against. For example, an order may prevent them from threatening, harassing or abusing you, or from coming to or near your home.
Breaching a Non-Molestation Order is a criminal offence.
What Can a Non-Molestation Order Protect You From?
A Non-Molestation Order can protect you and, in some cases, your children from a range of abusive, threatening or harassing behaviour.
Physical Violence or Threats
Protection from physical violence, threats of violence, or behaviour that makes you fear for your safety.
Unwanted Contact
Protection from unwanted calls, messages, emails or other attempts to contact you where the order prohibits this.
Coming to Your Home
The order can prohibit someone from coming to, entering or approaching your home or another specified location.
Important to know
The exact protections included in a Non-Molestation Order will depend on your individual circumstances and the terms set by the court. Always check your order carefully so you understand exactly what it prohibits.
Make “Important to know” bold, with the rest in normal text. Centre it vertically inside the box and leave comfortable space around the edges.
This is important because we don't want the Safebox Project page to suggest that every Non-Molestation Order automatically contains the same restrictions.
Contact Through Other People
The order can include restrictions preventing someone from using other people to contact, threaten or harass you on their behalf.
Following or Monitoring You
Protection from behaviour such as following you, watching you or repeatedly appearing at places you visit, where this behaviour is prohibited by the order.
Harassment & Intimidation
Protection from repeated harassment, intimidation or behaviour intended to frighten, distress or control you.
How Do You Apply for a Non-Molestation Order?
Complete Form FL401
Application for a Non-Molestation Order and/or Occupation Order.
The form asks for information about you, the person you are applying against, your relationship with them, any children involved, and the protection you are asking the court to provide.
You will usually need to provide a witness statement explaining why you are asking the court for protection.
Describe what has happened as clearly as you can. Where possible, include dates or approximate dates and explain how the behaviour has affected you or made you fear for your safety.
Then underneath, use bullet points:
Physical violence or threats
Harassment or stalking
Coercive or controlling behaviour
Repeated unwanted contact
Intimidation
Damage to property
Abuse or threats involving children
Any recent incidents that have caused you concern
Submit Your Application
Once your FL401 and supporting documents are ready, your application can be submitted to the Family Court.
There is no court fee for applying for a Non-Molestation Order.
Do You Need Emergency Protection?
If you believe you or a child are at immediate risk, you can ask the court to consider your application without notice.
This means the court can initially consider the application without the other person being told beforehand.
Whether an order is made without notice is for the court to decide based on the circumstances of the case.
What Happens at Court?
A judge will consider your application and the information you have provided.
If a Non-Molestation Order is made without notice, there will usually be another hearing where the respondent has an opportunity to attend and respond.
You may be able to have legal representation or other support during the process.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
Help may be available from a family law solicitor, domestic abuse organisation, IDVA, Citizens Advice or court support service.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for Legal Aid.
Please note: The information on this page is general information for England and Wales and should not be considered legal advice. Laws and court procedures can change, so always check current GOV.UK guidance or seek professional legal advice where appropriate.