Family Injunctions: Protecting You and Your Family
When family relationships break down, there are occasions where immediate legal protection is needed to safeguard you, your children or your home. If you are experiencing harassment, threats, domestic abuse or controlling behaviour, the Family Court has the power to grant injunctions that provide protection and help prevent further harm.
At Consilia Legal, our experienced Family Law Solicitors understand how distressing these situations can be. We provide clear, practical advice and can act quickly where urgent protection is required. Whether you need immediate legal intervention or simply want to understand your options, we are here to help.
What is a Family Injunction?
A family injunction is a court order designed to protect an individual from domestic abuse, intimidation, harassment or threatening behaviour by someone with whom they have a family or personal relationship.
Depending on your circumstances, an injunction can:
- Prevent someone from contacting or threatening you.
- Prevent someone from attending your home, workplace or your children's school.
- Regulate who can remain in the family home.
- Protect both you and your children from further abuse.
- Provide immediate legal protection in emergency situations.
Types of Family Injunction
Several different types of injunction may be available depending upon your circumstances.
Non-Molestation Orders
A Non-Molestation Order is one of the most common protective injunctions available through the Family Court. It can prohibit someone from threatening, harassing, intimidating or contacting you and may also protect your children.
Occupation Orders
An Occupation Order determines who can live in or enter the family home. In some cases, the court can require an abusive partner or family member to leave the property, even where they have legal rights to occupy it.
Occupation Orders are often used alongside Non-Molestation Orders where additional protection is required.
Protection from Coercive Control
Domestic abuse is not always physical. Many victims experience coercive or controlling behaviour that gradually removes their independence, confidence and freedom.
If you are living with coercive control, legal protection may still be available even where there has been no physical violence.
Who Can Apply for a Family Injunction?
You may be able to apply for a Family Injunction if the person causing you harm is associated with you, including:
- A current or former spouse or civil partner.
- A current or former partner.
- Someone you have children with.
- A family member.
- Someone you have lived with in an intimate relationship.
Every case is different, and our family solicitors can advise whether you are eligible and which type of injunction offers the most appropriate protection.
Emergency Family Injunctions
If you are at immediate risk of harm, it may be possible to apply for an emergency injunction without notifying the other person first. These are known as "without notice" applications and allow the court to consider your application urgently where there is a genuine risk to your safety.
Our experienced solicitors understand that these situations require prompt action and can advise you on the evidence needed to support an urgent application.
Family Injunctions and Children
Where children are involved, the court's primary concern is always their welfare.
If domestic abuse or controlling behaviour is affecting your children, the court will take this into account when making decisions regarding child arrangements and other child law and family law matters.
If disagreements arise regarding where your children should live or how much time they spend with each parent, we can also advise on Child Arrangement Orders and other applications to the Family Court.
Why Choose Consilia Legal?
At Consilia Legal, we appreciate that seeking an injunction is often one of the most difficult decisions someone can make. Our experienced Family Law Solicitors provide sensitive, confidential advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
We will explain your legal options clearly, support you throughout the court process and act swiftly where urgent protection is needed.
If you need urgent advice regarding a Family Injunction or believe you or your children are at risk, contact Consilia Legal today for a free, confidential initial discussion. Our experienced family law team will explain your options and help you obtain the protection you need.
