At Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors, we understand that experiencing domestic abuse can be frightening, confusing, and isolating, but you do not have to face it alone. Our compassionate team of domestic abuse solicitors is here to provide immediate, confidential advice and practical legal protection to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Our team of expert family law solicitors is here to listen, to protect, and to help you rebuild your sense of safety and independence.
We can meet you in person or remotely, whichever feels safest. We have offices in Billericay, Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, and Sudbury, or remotely. If you’d like to confidentially speak to a member of our team, you can contact us via our online enquiry form or call 0845 543 5700 for a guaranteed response.
Domestic abuse is an incredibly personal and painful experience, and it can take many different forms, not all of them physical. Often, abuse begins gradually and may be difficult to recognise at first. You might feel as though something isn’t right, but struggle to put it into words. Our domestic abuse solicitors are here to help you identify what’s happening, understand your rights, and take steps to protect yourself safely and discreetly.
Abuse can involve physical violence, but it can also be emotional, financial, or psychological. It can happen in any relationship, regardless of age, gender, or background, and it is never your fault. What matters most is that you know you deserve to be safe, respected, and free from fear.
Some of the most common forms of domestic abuse include:
Domestic abuse is about power and control, not love or care. Whether you’re still in the relationship or have already left, legal protection is available, and you don’t need to face this alone.
At Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors, we provide confidential advice and compassionate support for victims of domestic abuse. Our team can help you take immediate, practical steps to stay safe, protect your children, and regain control of your life.
When you reach out to us, your safety becomes our immediate priority. We understand that speaking about what you’re going through can feel frightening, especially if you’ve been made to feel like there’s no way out or that you have to keep everything inside. You don’t. From the moment you contact our domestic abuse solicitors, everything you share will be treated in strict confidence, and we will move at a pace that feels right for you.
Many of our clients come to us at a time when they feel isolated, anxious, or uncertain about what might happen next. You may be worried about how your partner will react, whether you’ll have to leave your home, or how to protect your children. These fears are completely valid, and we are here to help you find clarity and reassurance through calm, careful planning.
You can speak to us in the way that feels safest for you. We can also arrange contact at specific times of day when you know it’s safe to talk, and we’ll never send letters, emails, or voicemails unless you’ve told us it’s okay to do so.
Once we understand your situation, we’ll work with you to put both immediate and long-term safety measures in place. These may include urgent legal protection, safe housing arrangements, and guidance on how to manage digital security if your abuser monitors your devices or online activity. We can also connect you with local and national support services, such as Women’s Aid and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Your safety plan is personal to you; there is no one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll take time to understand your needs, your family circumstances, and your level of risk before deciding together what steps to take.
Some of the ways we can support your safety include:
You don’t have to have all the answers when you come to us; that’s what we’re here for. Our job is to protect you, explain your options clearly, and help you take each step with confidence and dignity.
We understand that the thought of taking legal action can feel overwhelming. You may be worried about what will happen if you make a report or whether seeking legal protection could make things worse. You might also feel torn between fear, guilt, and the hope that things could still change. These feelings are completely normal, and you are not alone in them.
Our role is to make this process feel safe, calm, and manageable. We will explain every option clearly, handle all the paperwork for you, and support you from start to finish. The law is there to protect you, and we will use it to give you the space and security you need to begin rebuilding your life.
When you’re ready, we can help you take decisive steps to legally protect yourself and your children, if you have any, from further abuse. These orders are designed to create immediate physical and emotional distance between you and your abuser, while ensuring that you remain in control of what happens next.
Below are some of the most common legal protections available – each one can be tailored to your specific circumstances and applied for quickly and discreetly by our experienced domestic abuse solicitors.
A Non-Molestation Order is designed to protect you and your children from any form of harassment, threats, intimidation, or contact by your abuser. This includes in-person, by phone, online, or through social media.
Once granted, the order can prevent the abuser from:
If this order is broken, it becomes a criminal offence, and the police can arrest the abuser immediately. You do not have to warn them or take further action yourself; the law will enforce the order for you.
An Occupation Order focuses on your home, giving you legal control over who can live there. This can be particularly important if you share a property with your abuser or have been forced to leave because of their behaviour.
Depending on your situation, an Occupation Order can:
This type of order provides security, stability, and breathing room, allowing you to focus on recovery and longer-term arrangements without the threat of further confrontation.
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, new measures known as Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) were introduced to provide both immediate and ongoing protection for victims.
A DAPN can be issued by the police straight away after an incident, preventing your abuser from contacting or approaching you for an initial period. This can then be followed by a DAPO, granted by the court, which extends and strengthens that protection over the long term.
These orders are particularly powerful because they can be made without notifying the abuser in advance, giving you instant safety and the ability to plan your next steps securely.
We understand that your children’s safety is often your biggest concern. Domestic abuse can deeply affect them, and our priority is to ensure they remain safe, supported, and secure. Our domestic violence solicitors can help you apply for urgent Child Arrangements Orders to decide where your children live and how contact takes place. If there’s a risk of harm, we can act quickly to prevent unsupervised contact with an abusive parent. We also work with schools, social services, and safeguarding professionals to make sure your children’s needs are understood and their safety plans are respected. Where needed, we can connect you with specialist counselling and emotional support to help your children begin to heal.
We know that reaching out to a domestic abuse solicitor can feel daunting, especially when you’re already dealing with something as personal and distressing as domestic abuse. You might be unsure what to expect, or worried about saying the wrong thing, but please know that our role is to listen, not to judge. From your very first conversation with us, you’ll be treated with kindness, patience, and complete confidentiality. We will move at your pace, and nothing will ever be shared without your permission.
Our approach is rooted in empathy, clarity, and understanding. We want you to feel supported and empowered, knowing that you have someone on your side who understands what you’re going through and will help you take control of the next steps safely and confidently.
When you first contact us:
For new clients, we offer a fixed-fee fact-finding meeting (£250 including VAT). This meeting is designed to give you clarity, practical advice, and an actionable plan from day one, without any hidden costs or surprises.
We also recognise that flexibility is essential. It isn’t always possible or safe to speak during regular hours, which is why we offer remote and out-of-hours appointments that can be arranged at times most convenient for you. Whether you prefer a video call, phone appointment, or discreet in-person meeting, we’ll accommodate your needs to make sure you feel comfortable and secure throughout the process.
Our team of experienced family law solicitors combines specialist legal expertise with compassion, care, and understanding. We know how important it is for you to feel listened to, respected, and supported throughout this process. Our role isn’t just to give legal advice; it’s to stand beside you, guide you with confidence, and help you rebuild your sense of safety and control.
Our domestic violence solicitors approach every case with empathy and discretion. We know that no two situations are the same. Whether you’re seeking immediate protection, long-term legal support, or guidance for your children’s wellbeing, we’ll take time to understand your circumstances and find the best solution for you.
Here’s why many clients choose FJG during such difficult times:
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, you’re not just a client, you’re a person with a story that matters. Our priority is to help you feel safe, informed, and supported every step of the way, so you can move forward with strength and security.
For expert advice, contact us by calling 0845 543 5700 or complete our online enquiry form.
For more than four decades, Fisher Jones Greenwood has provided expert legal advice to individuals and businesses throughout Essex, Suffolk, and London. Our dedicated team of solicitors is committed to delivering practical solutions for your legal matters. Contact us on 08455 435 700 or via our online enquiry form to schedule a consultation.
Request A CallbackWhat is domestic abuse?
The Home Office defines domestic abuse as:
“any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour. Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.”.
Who can apply for an injunction order?
To apply for an injunction order under the Family Law Act 1996 a person has to be associated to the other person. Associated persons are spouses/civil partners, former spouses/former civil partners, co-habitants/former co-habitants, close relatives, for example, a parent or a brother/sister, parties in an intimate relationship or same-sex couples.
If I am not associated to the other person, what help can I receive?
If you cannot apply for an injunction order under the Family Law Act e.g. because you are having problems with a neighbour then you can seek assistance from the Police. The Police do have powers under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 to prosecute a person who is causing harassment to another.
What happens if an injunction order is breached?
A non-molestation order comes with an automatic power of arrest. An occupation order can have a power of arrest attached if there have been violence or threats of violence. If a power of arrest has been attached, once the order has been served on the other person it will then be served upon your local police station.
If there is a power of arrest and the other person ignores the terms of an injunction order and commits a breach, you would need to call the police. They can arrest them immediately as the breach of an injunction order is a criminal offence. If found guilty the offender can be punished with up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine or both. Committal proceedings, whilst taking place in the Family Court, will follow a similar procedure to the criminal trial, using the criminal burden and standard of proof. If committed to prison, the other person can face a 2-year maximum fixed term custodial sentence (likely suspended). The court can also issue a fine or a fresh injunction.
Can the Court force the other person to leave the house? If so will they have to continue to pay the mortgage or rent?
An occupation order will set out who can live in the family home, or how you live in the property, for example, use of different parts at different times, and can also restrict the other person from entering the surrounding area. If you do not feel safe living with the other person, or if you have left home because of abuse, it may be possible to obtain an occupation order to allow you to return.
The Court will apply a ‘balance of harm’ test when deciding whether to make the order. The main considerations taken into account by the Court are: the housing needs and housing resources of each of the parties and any relevant child; the financial resources of each of the parties; the likely effect of any order on the health, safety or well-being of the parties and of any relevant child; and the conduct of the parties concerning each other. Where an occupation order is in force, the Court can also state who should pay the rent or mortgage and other outgoings on the property, who has to maintain the property and whether the party in occupation should pay a “rent” to the other person. This, of course, depends on the financial circumstances of the case.
Will an injunction order prevent the other person from seeing the children?
This depends on the circumstances of the case. If there has been abusive behaviour towards you with the children present or towards the children directly, then the Court will have to consider what contact with the children should take place, if any. If you are happy for contact to take place with the children, then this can be arranged. We can advise you on what steps can be taken to ensure that the children and you are safeguarded.
What happens if we reconcile, will the injunction order remain in place? If we want it discharged, what do I have to do?
The order will remain in place until either it comes to an end on the expiry date or the Court makes an order discharging it. If you were to reconcile with the other person, you should apply to the Court for the injunction to be discharged. This requires the completion of a simple form in which you will be required to provide information as to the reason why you wish to discharge the order. The Judge may well make the order without you needing to attend Court, or may wish to see you to establish that by discharging the order, they will not be leaving you or any children in a vulnerable or dangerous position.
If you reconcile and you leave the injunction order in place, there is a risk that, if the police become aware that the other person is in breach of the terms of the order, they could be arrested and charged.
Will the fact that I have not reported their behaviour to anyone before, such as the police, affect my chance of getting an injunction?
No, it will not. Most domestic abuse goes on behind closed doors and is never reported to the police. Of course, some victims are concerned that, if they were to report the behaviour to the police, and the police did not take any action, they would be at even greater risk of suffering harm. Therefore, the Court does not necessarily expect you to have reported any behaviour to the police before. When making an application to the Court, you will be required to make a statement supported by a statement of truth. This confirms to the Court that you are telling the entire truth. In the first instance, the Court will rely on your statement. If the other person wishes to challenge the order, then the Court will list a hearing where you would both be allowed to give evidence, and a Judge would decide who was telling the truth.
If I do not want to proceed with an injunction order, what else can be done?
We fully understand that every case is different and may not always be appropriate for an injunction. In some cases, a simple warning letter to the other party is sufficient. It makes clear the reasons why their behaviour is inappropriate and that it must not continue. They are informed that if their behaviour does not change then you apply to the Court for an injunction order.
Will social services be told about my other person’s abusive behaviour?
Social services will not automatically be informed of the other person’s abusive behaviour unless you or another party has informed them. If the police have been called because of the other person’s abusive behaviour and the police are concerned about the welfare of any children concerned, then the police can themselves make a referral to social services. The fact that you intend to apply to the Court for an injunction will show social services that you are safeguarding the children.
Is legal aid available for domestic abuse cases?
Yes, legal aid is still available for victims of domestic abuse who are financially eligible.
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