Injunctions - Getting help from the criminal justice system - Practical Help - Domestic Violence Forum - The London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Practical Help

Getting help from the criminal justice system

Injunctions

If you are experiencing domestic violence from your (ex) partner or from close family relatives you could apply for an injunction under part IV of the 1996 Family Law Act.

NB This act has been amended by the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and also by the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

It is possible to apply for an injunction in a Magistrates Court or in a County Court.

Some clients use solicitors to make these applications but it is also possible to make a direct application to the court without a solicitor. If you are using a solicitor getting an injunction can be expensive as solicitors usually charge by the half hour for all work done. You may be entitled to financial help to pay these costs if you are on a low income.

A solicitor should be able to advise you on how to make this application. You can also obtain free legal advice from some telephone advice lines (e.g. Rights of Women on 0207 251 6577) and from some local law centres.

Some clients experiencing domestic violence are able to get free help in getting injunctions from local domestic violence organisations such as domestic violence advocacy services or women's refuge outreach services.

Community Safety Officers based in Community Safety Units within local police stations may also be able to help you to get an injunction.

You can also download copies of injunction application forms from the following Darlington Domestic Violence Forum website.

If you are planning to use a solicitor and are likely to have to pay for these costs you may find it reduces your solicitor's bill to fill out as much of the application form as you can manage before you meet with your solicitor.

There are a number of factors which the court will look before making a decision about whether or not to issue an injunction. You can ask a solicitor and/or advisor about the likelihood of a successful application.

Be aware that many injunctions operate for a specified time period (often 3 to 6 months) and that you may need to make further applications if/when they run out.

There are two main types of injunctions under the Family Law Act:

Non-Molestation Orders |
Occupation Orders |

Go back to Getting help from the criminal justice system menu |

Go back to Practical Help menu |

Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum