Court Orders
Occupation Orders
Free, confidential help to get an abusive person out of your home, or to get you safely back into it.
In immediate danger? Call 999. If you can’t speak, call 999 and press 55 when prompted.
In immediate danger? Call 999. If you can’t speak, call 999 and press 55 when prompted.
What an Occupation Order can do
An Occupation Order is a Family Court order under the Family Law Act 1996. It decides who can live in the home, or parts of it, when it isn’t safe for you to live there together.
Removes them from the home
Orders the abusive person to leave, even if they own or rent it.
Gets you back in
Lets you return to your home safely if you’ve had to leave.
Keeps them away
Can stop them coming within a set distance of the home.
Decides who lives where
Can set out which parts of the home each person may use.
An Occupation Order doesn’t change who owns or rents the home. It only decides who can live there for now.
It’s usually applied for alongside a Non-Molestation Order, using the same application.
How it works
Contact us
We talk through your situation and your home, and check whether you qualify, free of charge.
Funding
We check if you’re eligible for legal aid. If not, we help you apply directly to the courts yourself.
Your application
Your application and statement are prepared and submitted to the court.
Urgent cases
In urgent cases the court can grant an ex parte which means the other person being told.
The hearing
The court will decide whether you or your children are at risk of significant harm.
Serving the order
A professional process server delivers it to the other person. A copy goes to the police.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you’re being abused or harassed by:
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A current or former husband, wife or civil partner
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A current or former partner you live or lived with
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A family member or someone else you live with
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Someone you are or were engaged to
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Someone you have been in an itimate relationship with
You may still be able to apply even if your name isn’t on the deeds or tenancy.
The rules can be complex, so we’ll check for you, free.
Frequently asked questions
Need to feel safe at home again?
Speak to one of our advocates. Free and confidential. Monday to Friday 08:45–17:45, with an out-of-hours service 24/7.
In immediate danger? Call 999. If you can’t speak, call 999 and press 55 when prompted.
In immediate danger? Call 999. If you can’t speak, call 999 and press 55 when prompted.