Home » Services » Family Law Solicitors »
Nobody should be going through domestic abuse. The law is on your side and there are provisions you can put in place to protect you and your family members. If you or your children are at risk of abuse or feel unsafe and need support, our solicitors can help submit court orders that keep you safe.
Working for You
We are here for you. We can assist in obtaining protection from violence or abusive and harassing behaviour through court orders ahead of building a court case against an abusive partner. Our years of experience supporting domestic abuse victims means we can help you get the protection you need. We work hard to be a supportive and be a firm you can lean on when you’re suffering domestic abuse.
“I benefitted from their advice and guidance step by step through my domestic abuse case” Tayebe, a recent client who suffered domestic violence. We fought her corner, making sure she was safe and that her well-being was protected throughout her case.
Free Legal Advice for Domestic Abuse Victims
We offer a free no-obligation telephone consultation for anyone in a dangerous situation. We can provide initial advice about how to move forward. Call our specialist Family Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for advice about your specific issue.
What behaviours count as Domestic Abuse?
In Family Law, Domestic Abuse includes physical abuse, controlling, cohesive, or threatening behaviour. It can include physical, psychological, emotional and even financial abuse. Domestic Abuse is a pattern of behaviours that hurts an individual.
Sensitivity and Confidentiality
We deal with all cases sensitively and on a confidential basis. We are also able to offer you access to additional support services, which can help to keep you and your children safe.
We will always deal with your case sensitively and at a pace that you are comfortable with. We can give you clear advice so that you can decide on how best to protect yourself, as soon as you are ready.
We are also able to offer you confidential advice about support services that may be available to you and alternatives to injunction proceedings. We have good working relationships with specialist domestic abuse organisations that are committed to helping you be safe.
General Support for Domestic Abuse Survivors
Whatever you are going through, you are not alone. You can access the support below for general advice and support before contacting us for legal support.
| Support | Phone Number | Website |
| National Domestic Abuse Helpline | 0808 2000 247 | Domestic abuse – Victim Support |
| Police Domestic Abuse Number | 0208 594 1212 | – |
| Victim Support | 08 08 16 89 111 | Home – Victim Support |
| Samaritans | 116 123 | Contact Us | Samaritans |
| Relay UK (for hearing impaired) | – | Download app – How to use Relay UK | Relay UK |
Please call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
Fees and Funding
Please see our Family & Child Law Fees and Funding page for an idea of how we price our services.
Legal Aid for Domestic Abuse Victims
You may be eligible for Legal Aid if you are in receipt of Income Support, Income based Support Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance, or Guarantee Credit. If your finances are controlled by your partner and your personal income is under £733 after tax deductions, rent/mortgage contributions and child allowances, you will be eligible for Legal Aid.
How do I check my Eligibility for Legal Aid?
You can check Legal Aid eligibility here or query your eligibility with one of our specialist solicitors.
Evidence/Supporting Documents
If you qualify based on your income you must also provide evidence you or your children are, or have been, victims of domestic abuse.
Types of Supporting Documents
- Arrest for a relevant domestic violence offence
- A relevant police caution for a domestic violence offence
- Relevant ongoing criminal proceedings
- A relevant conviction for a domestic violence offence
- Bind overs connected with a domestic violence offence
- Domestic violence protection notice
- A relevant protective injunction
- Undertaking document
- Finding of fact document
- Expert report produced as evidence for court/tribunal
- Letter or report from an appropriate health professional
- An appropriate health professional referral to a domestic violence support service
- Multi-agency risk assessment conference (or other local safeguarding forum)
- Letter from an independent domestic violence advisor/advocate
- Letter from an independent sexual violence advisor/advocate
- Letter from local authority or housing association
- Letter from organisation providing domestic violence support services
- Letter from organisation providing domestic violence support services – refusal of admission to a refuge
- Letter from public authority
- Leave to remain in the UK as a victim of domestic violence
Health Professionals who can Provide Medical Examinations
- A medical practitioner
- A nurse including public health nurses, health visitors (HV), school nurses (SN), occupational health nurses, family nurses, substance misuse nurses, mental health nurses
- A midwife
- A dentist including clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians, dental therapists, and orthodontic therapists.
- A paramedic
- A Practitioner psychologist
- A Radiographer
- A Social Worker
Professional Bodies who can Provide Supporting Evidence
The following professional bodies can provide documents which can act as evidence in your case:
- Police
- Probation Service
- Prison Service
- Health
- Housing
- Education
- Social Services
- Women support service
- Victim support service
- Male support service
- Drug and alcohol services
- Cafcass or Cafcass Cymru
Protective Court Orders for Domestic Abuse Victims
You might be worrying about how you’re going to protect yourself and your children while submitting a domestic abuse case. Our solicitors can assist you to apply for court orders which will protect your family immediately.
Non-Molestation Orders
If you need protection from someone who is abusive towards you then you may need a Non-Molestation Order and or an Occupation Order. Where appropriate, this can offer protection to your children as well.
What is a Non-Molestation Order?
Non-Molestation Orders aim to protect those at risk of suffering harm, because of another person’s behaviour towards them. Specifically, Non-Molestation Orders prohibit the Respondent from behaving in any way that is perceived by the Court as amounting to molestation of the Applicant or any relevant child.
Do I need a Non-Molestation Order?
If you are at risk from physical harm, harassment, or emotional harm, you need a Non-Molestation Order. These orders recognise the need to protect Applicants from abusive behaviours.
How do I apply for a Non-Molestation Order?
Our Family Law Solicitors can assist you in filling out a form asking the court to make an order to protect you or any relevant child. The person applying for a Non-Molestation Order is called the Applicant and the person who the Order is made against is called the Respondent.
The court will regard the circumstances of the individuals involved when deciding whether to exercise its powers to make a Non-Molestation Order. This includes the need to secure the health, safety and well-being of the Applicant and any children.
A Non-Molestation Order can be expressed in general terms or can clearly define acts which are forbidden. Most Courts prefer to clearly define the terms of any Non-Molestation Order, to avoid Respondents misunderstanding the terms of the Order.
How long does it take to establish a Non-Molestation Order?
It only takes a few weeks to set up a Non-Molestation Order. You may wish to receive initial advice ahead of starting the application to determine whether this is right for your circumstances, our teams are happy to help. From our initial phone call, we can
How Long do Non-molestation Orders Last for?
Non-Molestation Orders are made for a period of six to twelve months while court proceedings are ongoing. They are there for you to feel safe and secure throughout the process until a further order is made.
Occupation Orders
You deserve a safe space to live in. If you live with someone that you are frightened of because of violent or controlling behaviour and you fear that you and your children are at risk being in the same household, you may need an Occupation Order.
What are Occupation Orders?
Occupation Orders give the Court power to deal with the occupation rights of property, whether that property be owned or rented. An Occupation Order can:
- Require the Respondent to permit the Applicant to enter and remain in the property or part of the property.
- Regulate the occupation of the property by either or both parties. This means that the Court can Order than one party be excluded from certain rooms within the property as the Court deems appropriate.
- Require the Respondent to leave the property.
- Exclude the Respondent from a defined area in which the property is situated.
The most common Occupation Order to be made is for the Respondent to be ordered to leave the property and then not go within a specified distance of it.
Occupation Orders do not have any impact on the legal ownership of the property or the financial interest either party may have in the property.
How long does it take to Establish an Occupation Order?
An occupation order can be established within 24 hours if you are at immediate risk of danger. Our responsive team will fast track these orders so you can feel safer and prepared to build the case against your partner.
How long do Occupation Orders Last for?
There is no maximum duration. However, most Occupation Orders are made for 6 or 12 months or, in some situations, for the duration of other related proceedings such as divorce and financial remedy proceedings.
Responsive Legal Support for Domestic Abuse Victims
In cases where an urgent application to court is required, we can act quickly to make sure that your application is in court the same day that we are instructed. Call our 24/7 helpline on 01708 766155 to get the legal support you need right now.
Our Domestic Abuse Support Services
We offer free initial telephone consultations for all our clients. If you are financially eligible, we can provide Legal Aid for this service. Please call our specialist Family Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for a callback.
Legal Support and Advice for Domestic Abuse
We understand what a difficult time you are experiencing, and our aim is to ensure that you have all the necessary advice and support to make the decisions that are best for you and your children in a supportive environment.
How do I Protect my Children from Domestic Abuse?
When children are involved in domestic abuse situations, it’s vital to get support quickly and to get them into a safer environment. You can find out more about our children and domestic abuse services here.
Forced Marriage
Are you a victim of forced marriage? By law, the breach of Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO) is a criminal offence.
What is a Forced Marriage?
A forced marriage is where on or both members of a marriage do not or cannot connect to a marriage. They can happen to anyone from any background, and you may have not realised you were being forced into marriage. Our teams can support taking cases of forced marriage to court and releasing you from such a marriage.
Our Approach
We deal with cases of domestic abuse sensitively and on a confidential basis. Our services available to domestic abuse victims are focused on getting you into a safer situation and providing you with all the support we can.
Our Clients
Anyone of any gender can be a victim of domestic abuse. When a partner is being abusive it can feel scary and lonely, but support is here for you. When you are able, we can support you to improve your living situation. We also provide a safe space in our offices to talk through your situation if you would prefer an in-person appointment.
Our Work
Our family law solicitors take on domestic abuse cases with the sensitivity and deliver responsive solutions in your time of need. They specialise in domestic abuse cases and act as the intermediary between you and the court and removing your partner’s access to you and your children through legal means. Please, reach out to our specialist domestic abuse solicitors on 0844 800 9860 so that we can improve your situation together.
