If you are experiencing domestic abuse, harassment, threats or controlling behaviour, it is important to get advice quickly. At Gladstone Solicitors, our family law solicitors in Arnold provide clear, sensitive and practical advice about protective orders, including non-molestation orders, occupation orders and urgent family court applications.
We understand that asking for help can feel difficult, particularly where you are worried about your safety, your children, your home or what may happen next. Our role is to explain your legal options in plain English, help you understand what protection may be available and support you in taking the next step safely and confidently.
Based in Arnold, we support clients across Nottingham and the surrounding areas with urgent protective injunctions and related family law issues. If there is an immediate risk of harm, you should contact the police or emergency services straight away.
What Is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse can take many forms. It may involve physical violence, threats, intimidation, harassment, controlling or coercive behaviour, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, economic abuse or behaviour that makes you feel frightened, isolated or unsafe. It can happen during a relationship or after separation.
You do not have to wait until matters escalate before seeking advice. If you are worried about your safety, your children or your home, early legal advice can help you understand whether a protective order may be appropriate and what evidence may be needed.
Non-Molestation Orders
A non-molestation order is a family court injunction designed to protect a person, and in some cases a child, from abuse, harassment, threats or intimidation. It can prevent someone from contacting you, coming near your home, attending your workplace, using or threatening violence, or behaving in a way that causes fear or distress.
The exact terms of the order will depend on your circumstances and the protection needed. In urgent cases, the court may be asked to consider making an order without first notifying the other person, although the court will usually list a further hearing so both sides can be heard.
Occupation Orders
An occupation order is a court order that deals with who can live in, return to or be excluded from the family home. It may be needed where you are at risk in your home, where someone refuses to leave, or where arrangements about the home need to be regulated urgently for safety reasons.
Occupation orders can be more complex than non-molestation orders because the court may need to consider housing needs, property rights, the safety of any children and the likely effect of making or refusing the order. We can advise you on whether an occupation order may be available and what information the court is likely to need.
Urgent and Emergency Applications
Some situations require urgent action. If there is a risk of harm, harassment, intimidation, removal from the home or serious pressure being placed on you or your children, it may be possible to make an urgent application to the family court.
Where appropriate, an application may be made without notice to the other person. This means the court can consider protection before the other person is told about the application. The court will only make this type of order where it considers it necessary and fair in the circumstances.
How Gladstone Solicitors Can Help
Our family law team can help you understand your options and take practical steps to protect yourself and your family. We will handle your matter sensitively and explain the process clearly at each stage.
- Advice about domestic abuse, harassment and protective orders
- Preparing or responding to non-molestation order applications
- Advice about occupation orders and rights to remain in or return to the family home
- Support with urgent family court applications where protection is needed
- Guidance on evidence, witness statements and court forms
- Advice about related child arrangements or financial issues where appropriate
- Clear, sensitive support before, during and after court proceedings
Domestic Violence and Protective Order FAQs
What is a non-molestation order?
A non-molestation order is a protective injunction made by the family court. It can prevent someone from using or threatening violence, harassing you, contacting you, coming near your home or behaving in a way that causes fear or distress.
What is an occupation order?
An occupation order deals with who can live in, enter or be excluded from the family home. It may allow someone to remain in the home, return to the home or require another person to leave or stay away from the property.
Can I apply urgently?
In some cases, yes. If there is an immediate risk of harm or serious concern about safety, the court may be asked to consider an urgent application. In some circumstances, the application may be made without giving advance notice to the other person.
Do I have to attend mediation first?
Not always. In many family cases, a MIAM may be required before a court application, but exemptions can apply, including where there has been domestic abuse or where the matter is urgent. We can help you understand whether an exemption may apply in your circumstances.
Can a protective order cover my children?
In some cases, a non-molestation order can include protection for a relevant child. If there are concerns about children, we can also advise on related child arrangements, prohibited steps orders or other urgent applications where appropriate.
What happens if an order is breached?
If a protective order is breached, you should seek urgent advice. Breach of a non-molestation order can have serious consequences. If you are in immediate danger, you should contact the police straight away.
Can Gladstone Solicitors help if I have received an application?
Yes. If you have been served with an application for a non-molestation order or occupation order, we can advise you on what it means, the court process, your options and how to respond appropriately.
Speak to a Protective Order Solicitor in Arnold
If you need advice about domestic abuse, harassment, a non-molestation order, an occupation order or an urgent family court application, contact Gladstone Solicitors for clear and sensitive legal advice from a family law solicitor in Arnold.
To speak to Gladstone Solicitors about domestic violence and protective orders, please call us on 0115 9555 050 or email info@gladstonesolicitors.co.uk.