At Manak Solicitors, we act quickly for people who need legal protection from a partner, ex-partner, or family member.
If you are frightened, being harassed, or feel unsafe at home, please call us. We can apply to the court for an injunction, in some cases on the same day you contact us.
You have more options than you may realise
Many people who contact us have been living with a difficult or frightening situation for some time before they reach out for legal help. Some are not sure whether what they are experiencing is serious enough to warrant legal action. Some are worried about the consequences of taking that step. Some simply do not know that protection is available as quickly as it is.
The courts take applications for injunctions seriously, and they can act very quickly where there is genuine risk of harm. In urgent cases, we can apply for an emergency injunction without giving the other person advance notice, and a hearing can take place within hours. You do not have to wait for a situation to escalate before you are entitled to protection.
Whatever your situation, we will listen carefully, explain what legal protection is available, and move as quickly as your circumstances require. You do not need to have all the details ready before you call, and you do not need to have made any decisions. The first step is simply getting in touch.
The types of injunction we apply for
There are several different types of injunction available under family law, and the right one depends on your specific circumstances. We advise on all of the following.
Non-molestation orders
A non-molestation order is a court order that prohibits another person from using or threatening violence against you, harassing or intimidating you, or contacting you in any way. It can cover physical behaviour, phone calls, messages, contact through third parties, and behaviour on social media. Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence, which means the police can arrest the person who breaches it without you needing to make a separate complaint. We apply for these urgently where the situation requires it.
Occupation orders
An occupation order regulates who can live in the family home and, in some cases, who can enter or approach a defined area around it. It can require the other person to leave the property even if they own it or are named on the tenancy, and it can prevent them from returning while the order is in force. These orders are particularly important where you need to remain in the family home, for example because you have children who are settled there and removing them would cause further disruption.
Restraining orders
Restraining orders are issued by criminal courts, typically following a conviction or acquittal for a relevant offence, and they prohibit the subject from contacting the victim or approaching specified locations. If you have been through a criminal process and are concerned about your ongoing safety, or if you need advice on how a restraining order interacts with other family law proceedings, we can help you understand your position and what further steps are available to you.
Breach of injunction and enforcement
If an injunction is in place and the other person is breaching it, we can take immediate steps to enforce it through the court. Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence and should be reported to the police as well as to us. For other types of injunction, breach can be dealt with as a contempt of court, which can result in a fine or imprisonment. We act quickly in breach situations because the safety of our clients is the priority.
Emergency and out of hours applications
Where the situation is urgent, we can make an emergency application to the court without giving the other person notice. These are known as without notice applications, and they can result in an order being granted on the same day in serious cases. We also advise on what steps to take in the immediate term before a formal order is in place, including contacting the police and documenting incidents. If you need help urgently, please call us as soon as possible.
Things you need to know before you take the first step
You do not have to have been physically harmed to apply for an injunction
Many people believe that injunctions are only available in cases of physical violence. They are not. Harassment, controlling behaviour, threatening messages, and psychological abuse can all provide grounds for a non-molestation order. If you are frightened of someone, or their behaviour is making your life unmanageable, you may well be entitled to legal protection even if you have not been physically hurt.
Keeping a record of incidents helps, but do not wait until you have one
Evidence of the behaviour you have experienced, including dates, descriptions of incidents, screenshots of messages, and records of any witnesses, strengthens an application considerably. However, if you are in a situation that feels urgent, do not delay contacting us simply because you have not had time to gather evidence. We can advise on what is available and what can be done on short notice.
An injunction does not have to mean the end of all contact
Where children are involved, an injunction can be drafted to allow for child-related contact through agreed channels while still protecting you from unwanted or threatening behaviour. The order can be tailored to your specific circumstances, and we will make sure it reflects what you actually need rather than a standard template that may not fit your situation.
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Why clients choose Manak Solicitors for injunction applications
Injunction cases require solicitors who can move quickly, think clearly under pressure, and communicate with clients who are often in a frightening and emotionally exhausting situation. We have been handling these cases for over twenty years, and we understand that speed, clarity, and sensitivity are all equally important.
Our family law solicitors have an established track record of making successful emergency applications to the court, including without notice applications in situations where waiting for a hearing with both parties present was not a safe option. We know how the courts approach these cases and what they need to see in an application, and we prepare everything with that in mind.
We also make sure our clients feel supported beyond the legal process itself. We can signpost you to additional support organisations, advise on safety planning, and make sure that everything we do is handled with complete confidentiality. Your safety and your confidence in us are things we take seriously throughout.
Manak Solicitors holds Lexcel accreditation, the Law Society’s independently verified quality standard for practice management and client care. With offices across Kent and London and flexible remote and telephone appointments available, we can be reached quickly wherever you are.
Local & Accessible
With offices in Sevenoaks, Orpington, Gravesend, London, and Biggin Hill, we are never far away. For those who prefer speed and convenience, our secure online systems- including our trademarked Instant Instruct tool- allow you to begin your case entirely online, without ever compromising on personal service.
Questions about Injunctions
How quickly can an injunction be granted?
In urgent cases, an emergency injunction can be granted on the same day you make the application, without the other person being told in advance. These without notice orders are available where giving notice would put you at risk or where the situation is too urgent to wait for a full hearing. We can advise on the same day whether an emergency application is appropriate in your circumstances.
What happens if the other person ignores the injunction?
Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence, and the police can arrest the person who breaches it. For other types of injunction, breach is dealt with as a contempt of court and can result in serious consequences including imprisonment. If your injunction is being breached, contact the police and contact us as soon as possible so we can take enforcement steps through the court.
Do I have to go to court in person?
Not necessarily. In some cases, particularly emergency without notice applications, you may not need to attend court at all in the first instance. Where a hearing does take place, we prepare you thoroughly for what to expect and support you throughout. We also explore whether remote hearings are available in your case, which can make the process considerably less daunting.
How long does an injunction last?
The duration depends on the type of order and the circumstances of your case. Non-molestation orders are typically granted for a fixed period, often twelve months, but can be renewed or made for longer periods where appropriate. Occupation orders are usually granted for shorter periods, though they can be extended. We advise on the appropriate duration as part of preparing your application.
Will applying for an injunction affect any other legal proceedings?
It can do, and this is something we consider carefully as part of our advice. Injunction proceedings can run alongside divorce, financial settlement, and child arrangements cases, and the evidence and findings in one set of proceedings can sometimes be relevant to another. We make sure our advice takes the full picture into account so that steps taken in one area do not inadvertently affect your position in another.
Sevenoaks
Gravesend
Manak Solicitors is a trading name of Manak Lawyers Limited registered at Companies’ House in England & Wales Company Number: 09877015
Manak Lawyers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA No. 627738, 628462, 648124 & 8009629.
Manak Lawyers Limited does not accept service by fax or email.
