Tag Archive for: occupation order

You are here: / / occupation order

Posts

Using CourtNav for Non-Molestation Orders: A Practical Guide for Litigants in Person

/0 Comments/in , /by

For many victims of domestic abuse, the hardest part of seeking legal protection is not the law itself — it is the process. Fear, trauma, court forms, safeguarding concerns and trying to explain coercive and controlling behaviour in legal language can feel overwhelming, particularly without legal representation. In recent years, digital tools like CourtNav have started to reshape how litigants in person access protective injunctions through the family court system. Designed to help users prepare non-molestation and occupation order applications more clearly and more safely, CourtNav represents one of the clearest examples of legal technology being used to improve access to justice for vulnerable court users.


CourtNav and the Rise of Digital Injunction Applications: What Litigants in Person Need to Know

Part 3 of the JSH Law Legal Tech & AI for Litigants in Person Series

By Jessica Susan Hill | JSH Law

For many victims of domestic abuse, one of the hardest parts of seeking legal protection is not the law itself.

It is the process.

Fear.

Confusion.

Court forms.

Trauma.

Reliving abuse in writing.

Trying to explain coercive and controlling behaviour in a way the legal system can understand.

And often doing all of that without legal representation.

That is the reality many litigants in person face when trying to apply for a non-molestation order or occupation order through the family court.

In recent years, one digital tool has become increasingly important in this area:

CourtNav is one of the clearest examples of legal technology being used not to replace lawyers, but to help vulnerable people access the justice system more safely and more effectively.

But like all legal technology, it has strengths, limitations and risks that litigants in person need to understand properly.

What Is CourtNav?

CourtNav is an online digital support tool developed by the charity RCJ Advice.

It is designed primarily to help people prepare applications for:

  • Non-Molestation Orders (FL401 applications);
  • Occupation Orders;
  • domestic abuse injunctions;
  • and related protective orders in the family court.

The system works by guiding users through structured questions about:

  • their relationship;
  • the abuse experienced;
  • children involved;
  • risk factors;
  • living arrangements;
  • police involvement;
  • and safeguarding concerns.

It then helps generate draft court documents and applications which can later be reviewed and submitted.

Importantly:

CourtNav does not make legal decisions.

It helps structure information into a legally usable format.

Why CourtNav Matters

To understand why CourtNav matters, you first need to understand the reality many domestic abuse victims face.

People applying for injunctions are often:

  • traumatised;
  • sleep deprived;
  • fearful;
  • isolated;
  • financially vulnerable;
  • emotionally overwhelmed;
  • and trying to navigate an intimidating legal system while still living in crisis.

Traditional court forms can feel impossible in that situation.

Particularly where abuse involves:

  • coercive control;
  • psychological abuse;
  • financial abuse;
  • stalking;
  • post-separation abuse;
  • or long-term emotional manipulation.

Many victims struggle to explain these patterns clearly in legal language.

CourtNav attempts to bridge that gap.

What CourtNav Does Exceptionally Well

1. It Reduces Procedural Overwhelm

One of CourtNav’s biggest strengths is structure.

Instead of presenting users with complex court forms and expecting them to know what matters legally, CourtNav breaks the process into guided stages.

That can significantly reduce panic and confusion.

For many litigants in person, simply having a structured pathway through the application process is enormously valuable.

2. It Helps People Explain Abuse More Clearly

This is particularly important.

Many victims minimise abuse.

Others struggle to explain coercive control because the behaviour developed gradually over years.

CourtNav’s questioning structure often helps users:

  • identify patterns;
  • organise incidents chronologically;
  • focus on relevant information;
  • and explain risk more coherently.

That can materially improve the clarity of an application.

3. It Improves Accessibility

For people who cannot immediately access legal representation, CourtNav creates a more accessible route into the justice system.

That matters enormously given the ongoing legal aid and access-to-justice crisis.

Without tools like this, many vulnerable people would likely never attempt protective applications at all.

4. It Helps Create More Organised Draft Applications

Many litigants in person submit applications that are:

  • emotionally chaotic;
  • chronologically unclear;
  • highly repetitive;
  • or missing critical safeguarding details.

CourtNav’s structure often improves overall readability and coherence.

Judges and legal professionals still need to assess the evidence critically — but a clearer application helps everybody understand the issues more quickly.

What CourtNav Cannot Do

This is where realism matters.

CourtNav is useful.

But it is not magic.

And it is not a substitute for legal advice or strategic case preparation.

CourtNav cannot:

  • verify allegations;
  • assess witness credibility;
  • cross-examine evidence;
  • predict judicial outcomes;
  • provide emotional support;
  • fully understand complex safeguarding dynamics;
  • or advise strategically on wider family proceedings.

It also cannot fully appreciate nuance in the way experienced professionals can.

For example:

  • counter-allegations;
  • post-separation litigation abuse;
  • false allegations;
  • parental alienation claims;
  • cross-jurisdictional issues;
  • and highly complex coercive control dynamics

often require detailed human analysis.

The Hidden Risk Litigants in Person Often Miss

One important issue rarely discussed publicly is this:

Generating an application is not the same thing as proving a case.

Many litigants assume that once the paperwork is completed, the hardest part is over.

In reality, injunction proceedings can later involve:

  • fact-finding hearings;
  • cross-examination;
  • disclosure disputes;
  • safeguarding investigations;
  • CAFCASS involvement;
  • police evidence;
  • medical records;
  • and detailed credibility assessments.

That is where many litigants in person begin to struggle.

Because the technology may help them enter the system — but not necessarily navigate the litigation that follows.

Coercive Control and the Difficulty of Explaining “Invisible Abuse”

One of the most difficult aspects of family court litigation is explaining coercive and controlling behaviour.

Many victims arrive at court with:

  • no visible injuries;
  • limited evidence;
  • fragmented memories;
  • and years of psychologically manipulative behaviour that is difficult to summarise briefly.

This is where structured digital systems can genuinely help.

By prompting users to identify patterns of:

  • isolation;
  • monitoring;
  • financial control;
  • intimidation;
  • threats;
  • harassment;
  • and fear-based behaviour,

tools like CourtNav can sometimes help people recognise and articulate abuse more clearly than they otherwise might.

That is significant.

The Bigger Legal Tech Question

CourtNav also raises a much wider question:

What happens when legal systems increasingly rely on technology to compensate for reduced access to lawyers?

This is one of the defining access-to-justice issues of modern family law.

Increasingly, the justice system depends upon:

  • digital forms;
  • online portals;
  • remote hearings;
  • AI-assisted drafting tools;
  • self-help platforms;
  • and procedural technology

to help people navigate litigation without representation.

That creates both opportunity and risk.

Technology can improve accessibility.

But it can also create:

  • digital exclusion;
  • overreliance on systems;
  • false confidence;
  • and a dangerous assumption that guided forms are equivalent to legal understanding.

How CourtNav Fits into the Future of Family Court

CourtNav is likely part of a much larger shift.

Over the next decade we will probably see:

  • AI-assisted injunction drafting;
  • automated chronology generation;
  • risk-identification systems;
  • integrated safeguarding workflows;
  • evidence categorisation tools;
  • and increasingly sophisticated digital court support platforms.

Some of that will improve access to justice.

Some of it will create entirely new legal and ethical concerns.

But the direction of travel is already obvious:

Family court is becoming increasingly technological.

Practical Tips for Litigants Using CourtNav

JSH Law Practical Guidance

  • Take your time completing the questions.
  • Focus on facts, incidents and patterns.
  • Avoid writing emotionally if possible.
  • Keep dates and chronology clear.
  • Save supporting evidence separately.
  • Do not exaggerate allegations.
  • Do not assume the court automatically knows your history.
  • Remember that applications may later be scrutinised in detail.
  • Seek support where possible if you are overwhelmed.
  • If children are involved, think carefully about safeguarding issues and risk.

JSH Law Practical Verdict

JSH Law Rating: Extremely Valuable Access-to-Justice Tool

Best for:

  • non-molestation applications;
  • organising abuse allegations clearly;
  • reducing procedural overwhelm;
  • helping litigants begin injunction applications;
  • improving accessibility.

Limitations:

  • not legal advice;
  • not strategic litigation support;
  • cannot replace safeguarding analysis;
  • cannot predict outcomes;
  • cannot fully assess complex abuse dynamics.

Final Thoughts

CourtNav represents something important.

Not because technology solves domestic abuse.

It does not.

But because tools like this acknowledge a reality the justice system can no longer ignore:

Large numbers of vulnerable people are navigating family court without lawyers.

For those people, structure matters.

Clarity matters.

Accessibility matters.

And technology — used carefully and responsibly — may increasingly become one of the few bridges left between vulnerable people and meaningful access to legal protection.

About the Author

Jessica Susan Hill is studying towards SQE1 and SQE2 with BPP Law School and has over 10 years’ experience litigating in person and helping others navigate family court proceedings.

She is the founder of JSH Law and has a particular interest in legal technology, AI, access to justice, safeguarding and practical litigation support for litigants in person.

JSH Law provides practical support including chronology building, evidence organisation, court document preparation assistance and hearing preparation support for litigants in person across England and Wales.

Website: www.jshlaw.co.uk

Part of the JSH Law Legal Tech & AI for Litigants in Person Series

  • Part 1 — The Truth About Using ChatGPT for Family Court as a Litigant in Person
  • Part 2 — Advicenow Review for Litigants in Person
  • Part 3 — CourtNav and the Rise of Digital Injunction Applications
  • Coming next: Claude vs ChatGPT for Family Court Preparation

Regulatory & Editorial Notice: JSH Law Ltd provides litigation support and McKenzie Friend services to litigants in person. JSH Law Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This article is provided for general educational and public-interest purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

When a Parent Discloses Strangulation and has a SEN Child: What to Do Next (UK Family Court)

/0 Comments/in , /by

When a Parent Discloses Strangulation and You Have SEN Children: What to Do Next (UK Family Court)

Safety note: If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not an emergency, consider calling 101. If you cannot speak safely, use the Silent Solution (dial 999 and follow the operator’s prompts).

This article is written for litigants in person who find themselves in one of the most frightening situations a parent can face:

  • you have children (often with Special Educational Needs (SEN)),
  • the other parent is angry, aggressive, and unsafe, and
  • you have disclosed that the other parent has strangled you (including where that has been admitted to professionals, such as social services or Cafcass).

If that is you: you do not need to “handle this better”. You need protection, stability, and a clear procedural plan.

Strangulation (non-fatal strangulation/suffocation) is treated in law and safeguarding practice as a serious risk indicator. It is also a criminal offence. (legislation.gov.uk)

This is why the priority in family law is often not “contact arrangements first” — it is safety first.

Key Takeaways (for litigants in person)

  • Strangulation is treated as a serious risk indicator in safeguarding and family proceedings.
  • A 15-minute consultation is triage and orientation: safety, urgency, next steps.
  • Most situations like this require a protection-first approach before child arrangements litigation.
  • Legal aid and specialist domestic abuse support should be pursued in parallel.

What you can expect from a 15-minute consultation with JSH Law

A 15-minute consultation is triage and orientation, not full casework.

In this call, JSH Law will help you:

  1. Check immediate safety (for you and the children).
  2. Identify the legal category of your problem (protective injunctions vs. children proceedings vs. both).
  3. Confirm whether there are deadlines, active proceedings, or court orders.
  4. Map the fastest lawful route to protection and stability.
  5. Signpost the right next step, including legal aid and specialist domestic abuse support.

What this call is not

It is not:

  • drafting your witness statement,
  • advising you what to “say to the judge”,
  • telling you the outcome,
  • or running your whole case.

That work is longer-form, and it must be done safely and properly.

Why strangulation changes everything

If a parent says, “He strangled me,” that is not “relationship conflict”. It is a serious safeguarding disclosure.

In UK law:

  • The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 sets a statutory definition of domestic abuse (and recognises patterns of controlling/coercive behaviour). (legislation.gov.uk)
  • Non-fatal strangulation/suffocation is recognised as a specific offence (via the Domestic Abuse Act’s amendments). (legaladvicecentre.london)

In family proceedings, the court must approach child arrangements through a safeguarding lens where domestic abuse is raised (see Practice Direction 12J). (justice.gov.uk)

The procedural approach JSH Law takes in this situation

When the disclosure is: SEN children + father unsafe/aggressive + strangulation admitted to professionals, the “best practice” procedural mindset is:

  • Protect first (injunctions)
  • Stabilise housing if needed
  • Only then open or progress child arrangements litigation, unless the children’s arrangements must be stabilised urgently

That is why our priority sequence usually looks like this:

Priority Summary

PriorityActionWhy it mattersKey legal reference
1️⃣FL401 – Non-Molestation Order (immediate)Creates a legal firewall to stop abuse, threats, intimidation and unwanted contact.Family Law Act 1996 s.42
2️⃣Occupation Order (if housing risk exists)Regulates occupation of the home; can exclude an unsafe person where justified.Family Law Act 1996 s.33
3️⃣C100 + C1A (only if children’s arrangements must be stabilised now)Only used urgently when children’s arrangements require immediate court control.Children Act 1989 s.8
4️⃣Legal aid solicitor + specialist DA support (in parallel)Secures specialist representation/support where domestic abuse gateway applies (subject to means).LASPO 2012 Sch 1 para 12

Step 1: FL401 – Non-Molestation Order (IMMEDIATE)

What it is

A Non-Molestation Order is a protective injunction under the Family Law Act 1996. (legislation.gov.uk)

It can prohibit the other person from:

  • using or threatening violence,
  • harassing, intimidating, pestering,
  • contacting you (including via third parties),
  • coming to your home, workplace, or the children’s school (if appropriate).

Why it is the first priority in high-risk disclosures

Because it creates a legal firewall. It is designed to stop further abuse and reduce immediate risk.

Breach is a criminal offence

Breach of a non-molestation order is a criminal offence under s.42A Family Law Act 1996. (legislation.gov.uk)

Can it be made “without notice”?

Yes. In urgent cases, the court can consider the application without the respondent being told first (a “without notice” / ex parte application). The criteria are set out in s.45 Family Law Act 1996, and the Family Procedure Rules require your supporting evidence to explain why notice was not given. (legislation.gov.uk)

Practical reality: without-notice orders exist because sometimes warning the other person increases risk, pressure, or intimidation.

What you need procedurally

An application for a non-molestation order is made on Form FL401 and must be supported by a witness statement (your statement of facts). (justice.gov.uk)

What your witness statement should cover (high-level)

  • the relationship and living situation (briefly)
  • the pattern of behaviour (keep it factual)
  • the strangulation disclosure (what happened, when, injuries if any, what was said to professionals)
  • the children’s needs and exposure (especially SEN needs and routine stability)
  • why you need protection now
  • why you seek the order without notice (if applicable)

Step 2: Occupation Order (IF HOUSING RISK EXISTS)

What it is

An Occupation Order is an injunction that regulates who can live in, enter, or be excluded from the family home. It also arises under the Family Law Act 1996 (commonly under s.33 and related provisions depending on your property/occupancy status). (legislation.gov.uk)

When it becomes urgent

Consider it immediately if:

  • the other parent still lives in the home,
  • is trying to return,
  • is turning up, refusing to leave, or making the home unsafe,
  • you are being forced to flee with SEN children (disruption can be extremely harmful),
  • the home is the only stable base for schooling, EHCP support, therapies, etc.

How the court assesses it

In some scenarios (notably s.33 cases), the court applies the “balance of harm” approach and considers the likely harm if the order is not made versus harm to the respondent if it is made. (This sits within the statutory framework of the Family Law Act’s occupation order provisions.) (legislation.gov.uk)

Practical point: occupation orders can be “harder” than NMOs

Courts treat excluding someone from their home as a major interference with rights — it can be granted, but it must be properly evidenced and proportionate, especially if sought without notice.

Step 3: C100 + C1A (ONLY if children’s arrangements must be stabilised now)

This is where people often make a costly mistake: they rush into a children application too early, and it unintentionally triggers pressure around contact before safety is stabilised.

The legal basis

A Child Arrangements Order is a s.8 Children Act 1989 order. (legislation.gov.uk)

You apply using Form C100 (private law children application). Cafcass will usually be involved in initial safeguarding checks. (cafcass.gov.uk)

What is Form C1A?

Form C1A is supplemental information used to tell the court about allegations of harm and domestic abuse (or to respond to them). (gov.uk)

When you should file C100 + C1A urgently

Usually only if one of these is true:

  • the other parent is threatening to remove the children,
  • there is an immediate dispute about where the children live / are collected from,
  • contact is being demanded in a way that creates immediate risk,
  • the school, GP, or professionals need court-backed clarity quickly,
  • there is already chaos around handovers that is escalating.

PD12J: why domestic abuse matters in child arrangements

Where domestic abuse is raised, the court must consider safeguarding and risk, and handle contact decisions accordingly under Practice Direction 12J. (justice.gov.uk)

This is especially relevant where:

  • there are serious allegations,
  • the children may have witnessed incidents,
  • or the abusive parent seeks to use proceedings to continue coercive control.

Step 4: Legal aid solicitor + specialist DA support (IN PARALLEL)

If strangulation has been admitted to professionals (social services/Cafcass), you should assume legal aid may be available (subject to means and evidence requirements) and you should pursue it immediately, not after you’ve struggled alone for months.

Legal aid: the legal framework

Legal aid remains available for certain family matters involving domestic abuse under LASPO 2012 Schedule 1, Part 1, paragraph 12, subject to providing evidence of domestic abuse as required by the regulations. (legislation.gov.uk)

Government guidance confirms you may be eligible for legal aid for domestic abuse matters if you have evidence and meet the financial criteria. (gov.uk)

Why specialist DA support matters (even if you are “strong”)

A specialist domestic abuse service (often via an IDVA) can help with:

  • safety planning,
  • liaison with police and children’s services,
  • refuge/housing options,
  • documenting risk properly.

For SEN children, that wrap-around support can be the difference between coping and collapse.

A simple decision map (quick reference)

If you are unsafe now: emergency services first.

Otherwise:

  • Need immediate protection from abuse/harassment? → FL401 non-molestation (legislation.gov.uk)
  • Need the abuser kept out of the home / housing stability? → add occupation order (legislation.gov.uk)
  • Need urgent court control over children’s living/contact arrangements? → C100 + C1A (legislation.gov.uk)
  • Want representation and safety-informed strategy? → legal aid solicitor + DA support (legislation.gov.uk)

What evidence and documents help (without drowning yourself)

You do not need a 200-page bundle on day one. You need credible, relevant, time-anchored evidence.

Examples:

  • a letter/email note from social services/Cafcass referencing the disclosure (if available)
  • police incident numbers (if any)
  • GP/A&E notes (if any)
  • photos of injuries (if any)
  • a short chronology of key incidents (dates + 1–2 lines each)
  • school/SEN documents only where they show vulnerability/routine impact

What to expect in court (high-level)

  • Injunction applications (FL401) require your witness statement and can be dealt with urgently, including without notice where justified. (justice.gov.uk)
  • Children applications (C100) will usually trigger initial safeguarding checks and a first hearing process. PD12J is central where domestic abuse is raised. (justice.gov.uk)

Call to Action: Book a 15-Minute Consultation with JSH Law

If you are in this situation — especially with SEN children — you do not need to “power through”. You need a clear procedural plan and the right support around you.

Book a 15-minute consultation here:
👉

15-minute introductory telephone call (free)
New enquiries only · UK & international timezones supported
This short call is for new enquiries only. It allows us to:
  • Understand the nature of your issue
  • Explain the type of support available
  • Confirm next steps, if appropriate
Important: This call does not constitute legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship.

What to include in your booking notes (so we can help faster)

  • Are the children safe today?
  • Is the other parent in the home / turning up?
  • Any deadlines, hearings, or existing orders?
  • Any professional involvement (police / social services / Cafcass)?
  • One sentence: what is your biggest fear right now?

Regulatory & Editorial Notice (JSH Law)

This article is general information for public education. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice on your specific facts. Reading this article does not create a solicitor-client relationship. If you are at immediate risk of harm, contact the police or emergency services. Where third-party sources are referenced, they are provided for convenience and do not necessarily reflect endorsement by JSH Law.

Key legal references (for readers who want sources)

Woman and young child sitting in fear while an abusive partner raises a fist, illustrating domestic abuse while living under the same roof and the need for urgent family court protection.jsh law ltd

He Raised His Fist While We’re Still Living Together — What Do I Do Now?

/0 Comments/in , /by

A real Facebook comment, and the urgent legal steps that follow

**“HELP!
Going through divorce / domestic abuse / living under the same roof / completing financial forms for a consent order / have a 6-year-old child.

This morning my ex raised his fist to me and squared up to me earlier this week.

School know and have referred to MASH. I’ve been told to log it with the police.

What do I do?
Do I move out to protect myself and my child?
How does this impact the divorce?

Should he be moving out?
Do I apply for a non-molestation order and an occupation order?
How quickly does this happen?”*

This is not a theoretical question.
This is a live safeguarding situation.

If this is you, or someone you support, the priority is simple and non-negotiable:

Safety comes first — always.

Everything else (divorce paperwork, finances, consent orders) comes second.

Step 1: Immediate safety comes first

If someone has raised their fist, squared up, or made you fear violence:

  • That is domestic abuse
  • You do not have to wait for physical injury
  • You do not have to “see what happens next”

If there is immediate risk

  • Call the police
  • Get yourself and your child to a safe place if you can
  • Do not worry about “over-reacting” — courts and safeguarding agencies take threats of violence seriously

The school has already referred to MASH. That means:

  • Professionals are concerned about risk to a child
  • You should keep records of all school communications
  • This strengthens the need for formal protective steps

Step 2: What protective orders are available (England & Wales)

The Family Court has emergency powers designed for exactly this situation.

1. Non-Molestation Order (NMO)

A non-molestation order is a protective injunction that:

  • Prohibits threats, intimidation, harassment or violence
  • Can protect you and your child
  • Is a criminal offence to breach

This is the primary legal tool where there are threats or fear of harm.

2. Occupation Order

An occupation order deals with the home. It can:

  • Decide who stays and who must leave
  • Exclude the abusive party from the property or part of it
  • Be made even if both names are on the tenancy or mortgage

This is how the court answers the question:

“Who should move out — me or him?”

You do not have to decide that alone.

3. Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs)

DAPOs exist but are currently:

  • Only available in pilot areas
  • Not yet the main route for most people

For most litigants in person, non-molestation + occupation orders remain the correct route.

Step 3: How quickly can this be done?

Emergency (without-notice) applications

If there is risk of significant harm, the court can:

  • Make orders without telling him first
  • Act the same day or within days
  • Rely on your sworn written evidence

The law explicitly allows this where it is “just and convenient” to do so.

This is not unusual.
It exists because waiting can be dangerous.

On-notice hearings

If the court decides notice is appropriate:

  • A hearing should normally be listed within 21 days
  • Interim protection can still be put in place

Step 4: What form is used?

Protective injunctions are applied for using:

Form FL401

This form can include:

  • A non-molestation order
  • An occupation order
  • Both together

It must be supported by a clear witness statement setting out:

  • What has happened
  • Why you fear harm
  • Why urgent protection is needed

Step 5: Evidence and documentation — do this now

You do not need perfect evidence.
You need clear, contemporaneous records.

Start immediately:

  • Write down dates, times, words used, actions
  • Note who saw or heard what
  • Keep copies of:
    • School emails
    • MASH correspondence
    • Police reference numbers
  • Save messages, voicemails, or threats

This is not about proving everything beyond doubt.
It is about showing risk.

“Do I move out? How does this affect the divorce?”

This is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions.

The honest answer:

  • Your safety and your child’s safety come first
  • The Family Court has specific powers (occupation orders) to decide housing without you having to flee
  • Whether leaving affects finances depends on the wider facts — and cannot be safely answered in a Facebook comment

What matters right now is this:

Do not stay somewhere unsafe out of fear of “damaging your case.”

The court’s primary concern in protective injunctions is risk, not tactical advantage.

Costs and enforcement

  • There is no court fee to apply for a non-molestation or occupation order
  • Legal aid may be available depending on eligibility
  • Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence and can result in arrest

These orders have teeth.

What you can do today (practical checklist)

If you are in this position today, do the following:

  1. Contact police if there is immediate risk
  2. Keep yourself and your child safe
  3. Start a written incident log
  4. Preserve school and MASH communications
  5. Prepare an FL401 application
  6. Seek urgent support with drafting if needed — this is not the time for guesswork

How JSH Law can help immediately

I support litigants in person who are:

  • Living under the same roof as an abusive ex
  • Navigating divorce alongside safeguarding risk
  • Preparing urgent FL401 applications
  • Unsure whether to seek a non-molestation order, an occupation order, or both

I can help with:

  • Structuring your witness statement
  • Risk-focused drafting for without-notice applications
  • Explaining what the court is likely to prioritise
  • Helping you act quickly, calmly, and strategically

You do not need to handle this alone.

    Links

    1. Get an injunction: Overview

      UK Government · GOV.UK · 2025

      2. FJC Best Practice: Protective Injunctions

      Family Justice Council (Judiciary) · Guidance PDF · 2025

      3. Form FL401 page

      HM Courts & Tribunals Service · GOV.UK · 2025

      4. Family Law Act 1996 § 42

      UK Parliament · legislation.gov.uk · 1996 (as amended)

      Regulatory & Editorial Notice

      This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
      Family-law outcomes depend on individual facts and circumstances.
      Nothing in this article creates a solicitor-client relationship.
      If you are in immediate danger, contact the police or emergency services without delay.