Your protection order papers, prepared properly. At no cost.
Non-Molestation Order - No Cost helps you apply for a Non-Molestation Order or an Occupation Order. We prepare your witness statement and FL401 application, free, and guide you on how to submit it to the Family Court yourself.
What you pay
There is no court fee to apply. Legal aid may cover a solicitor if you qualify. If you don't qualify, we help you free of charge.
Non-Molestation Order
Stops someone from using or threatening violence, harassing, intimidating or contacting you or your children.
Order 2Occupation Order
Decides who can live in the home. It can remove an abuser or let you return safely.
UrgentWithout-notice orders
In urgent cases the court can make an order the same day, before the other person is told.
How it works
- 5–30 minutes
Fill in our online form
Answer questions about you, what has happened, and your home. Answer in your own words. You can skip anything you don't know.
- Free
We prepare your papers
Our team turns your answers into a witness statement and form FL401, and checks whether legal aid can cover a solicitor.
- Free
You sign and submit it
We send you your prepared statement and FL401 with clear, step-by-step guidance. You check and sign them, then submit them to the Family Court yourself. There is no court fee.
Anyone at risk from someone close to them
A partner or ex-partner, husband or wife, family member, or the other parent of your child. Women and men, with or without children.
Nothing
No court fee, no charge for our help, no hidden extras. If you qualify for legal aid, the Legal Aid Agency pays the solicitor.
Urgent cases first
If you tell us you need urgent protection, we prioritise preparing your papers so you can submit them to the court as soon as possible.
We prepare your witness statement and FL401 application for you, free of charge, and guide you step by step on how to sign it and submit it to the Family Court yourself.
Non-Molestation Order
A court order that protects you, and your children, from someone who has been abusive towards you.
What it can stop
The court writes the order to fit your situation. It can forbid the other person (the "respondent") from:
- using or threatening violence against you or your children
- harassing, pestering or intimidating you
- contacting you by phone, text, social media or through other people
- coming within a set distance of your home, work or your children's school
- posting about you online or damaging your property
Who can apply
You must be "associated" with the respondent. That includes someone who is or was:
- your spouse, civil partner or fiancé(e)
- your partner, or someone you had an intimate relationship of significant duration with
- someone you live or lived with (not as a lodger or tenant)
- a relative, or a parent of your child
- a party in the same family court case
If you're under 16, you need permission from the High Court to apply.
How long it lasts
Most orders last 6 to 12 months. Some are made until a further order. You can apply to extend it before it ends if you still need protection.
If the respondent breaks the order, they can be arrested. Breach is a criminal offence with a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. Call 999 if it happens.
Cost to you
Occupation Order
A court order about the home. It decides who can live there, so you can stay somewhere safe.
What it can do
- let you stay in the home and require the abuser to leave
- stop the abuser entering the home or coming within a set area around it
- let you back in if you were forced out or the locks were changed
- split the home so you each use different parts
- set out who pays the rent, mortgage or bills
An Occupation Order does not change who owns or rents the property. It only controls who can live there.
How the court decides
Because removing someone from their home is a serious step, the court weighs the "balance of harm". It looks at the housing needs and money of each person, the effect on any children, how each person has behaved, and the harm likely to be suffered if the order is or isn't made.
Your rights in the home matter. If you own it, rent it, or are married or in a civil partnership with the respondent, you have more options. If you don't have those rights, you can still apply, but the order is usually shorter.
How long it lasts
This depends on your rights to the property. Orders for people without a legal right to live there usually last up to 6 months and can be extended once. Others can last longer or until a further order.
You can ask for a Non-Molestation Order and an Occupation Order on the same FL401 form. Most people who need one need both.
The court can attach a power of arrest so the police can arrest the person straight away. Breach can lead to fines or prison.
How to apply
Applications are made to the Family Court on form FL401 with a signed witness statement. We prepare both for you and guide you through submitting them yourself. Here is what happens, step by step.
- Free
Tell us what's happened
Fill in our online application form, email us, or ask a support worker to refer you. We go through your answers in confidence and check which order fits.
- Free
We help you write your statement
Your statement explains the abuse, the most recent incidents and why you need protection. We help you set it out clearly, in date order, in your own words.
- Free
We prepare form FL401
We complete the application for you, including which order you need, the people to protect, and whether you need an urgent without-notice order.
- Free
Review and guidance
We check your papers and send them to you with step-by-step guidance on signing and submitting them. If you qualify for legal aid, we can tell you about getting a solicitor.
You sign and submit
You sign the statement of truth and submit your application to the Family Court yourself, by email, post or in person, following our guidance. There is no court fee.
The hearing
Urgent cases are often heard the same or next day. We explain what to expect. You can ask for separate waiting areas or screens.
Serving the order
The respondent must be given the papers. You must not do this yourself. You can ask the court to serve them using form D89, or use a process server.
We prepare your witness statement and FL401 application for you, free of charge, and guide you step by step on how to sign it and submit it to the Family Court yourself.
If you don't want the respondent to know where you live, your address can be kept confidential using form C8.
Answer simple questions about what has happened, in your own time and at no cost. We turn your answers into your witness statement and FL401 application.
We send you the prepared papers urgently, with guidance on how to sign them and submit them to the court yourself.
Start the online formWhy it's free
Money should never stand between you and protection. Here is exactly how each part of the process is paid for.
| Part of the process | Who pays | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|
| Court fee for FL401 | There is no fee for this application | £0 |
| Solicitor, if you qualify for legal aid | Legal Aid Agency, subject to means and merits | £0 (a contribution may apply in some cases) |
| Preparing your statement and FL401, and guidance on submitting | Provided by us, free | £0 |
| Court serving the papers (form D89) | Court bailiff, if the court agrees | £0 |
About legal aid
Legal aid is available for Non-Molestation and Occupation Order applications. It is means-tested, but the income limits for these orders can be waived, so people who earn more than the usual limits may still qualify. A legal aid solicitor checks this for you.
If you're not eligible, or you'd rather not wait, you won't be left without help. We'll prepare your statement and FL401 without charge and guide you on submitting them yourself.
Fill in our free online form. It takes about 20–30 minutes. We prepare your statement and FL401 and guide you on submitting them.
Urgent, without-notice orders
If you're at risk right now, the court can make an order before the other person knows you've applied.
When the court will do this
The court can make an order "without notice" when it's just and convenient to do so, for example where:
- there is a risk of significant harm to you or a child if the order isn't made immediately
- you're likely to be stopped from applying if the respondent finds out
- the respondent is avoiding being served and delay would put you at risk
Your statement must explain why you need protection now and why the respondent can't be told first.
What happens next
A without-notice order lasts until a return hearing, usually within a couple of weeks. The respondent is served and can attend that hearing. The judge then decides whether to keep, change or end the order.
Call 999. If you can't talk, call 999, stay on the line and press 55. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247.
Fill in our free online form. It takes about 20–30 minutes. We prepare your statement and FL401 and guide you on submitting them.
After the order is made
Carry it with you
Keep a copy of the order on your phone and a paper copy at home. Give copies to your children's school if it covers them.
Make sure police know
Check the order has been sent to your local police, especially if it has a power of arrest.
Record and report
Call 999 for any breach. Keep a log with dates, times and screenshots of messages.
Extend before it ends
If you still need protection, apply to extend the order before its end date. We can help with that too, free.
If your order was urgent
A without-notice order is followed by a return hearing, usually within 14 days. The Respondent can attend. We explain what to expect and help you prepare.
If things change
If you move, the order needs changing, or the Respondent applies to vary it, contact us. We help with that free of charge too.
Fill in our free online form. It takes about 20–30 minutes. We prepare your statement and FL401 and guide you on submitting them.
FAQs
Is it really free?
Yes. There's no court fee for an FL401 application. We prepare your statement and FL401 without charge. If you qualify for legal aid, a solicitor can be paid by the Legal Aid Agency.
Do I need evidence?
Your signed statement is evidence. Messages, photos, medical notes or police reference numbers help but aren't required to apply.
Will the abuser find out where I live?
Not if you ask for your address to be kept confidential. We'll help you complete form C8.
Do I need to go to court?
There is usually a hearing, often by video or phone. You can ask for protective measures such as separate waiting rooms or screens.
Can I apply if we still live together?
Yes. An Occupation Order can decide who stays in the home, and a Non-Molestation Order can protect you either way.
Can men apply?
Yes. Anyone who has experienced domestic abuse from an associated person can apply.
Do you submit my application to court?
No. We prepare your witness statement and FL401 application and guide you step by step. You sign them and submit them to the Family Court yourself, by email, post or in person.
How long does it take?
The online form takes about 20–30 minutes. Once we have your answers, we prepare your draft urgently. Urgent (without notice) applications can often be heard by a judge the same day or the next day.
Will the Respondent see what I write?
Yes. If the court makes an order, the Respondent is given a copy of your application and statement so they can respond. Your address can be kept private.
What if I don't know some answers?
Leave them blank or answer as best you can. Only a few questions must be answered. We will go through anything missing with you.
Can someone help me fill in the form?
Yes. A friend, family member or support worker can help you. Professionals can also email us a referral.
What happens to my information?
Your answers are sent securely to our team and used only to prepare your application. Read our privacy notice for full details.
What is a DAPO?
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order is a newer order currently available only in some areas. We'll tell you if it's an option for you.
Fill in our free online form. It takes about 20–30 minutes. We prepare your statement and FL401 and guide you on submitting them.
Start your application
The quickest way is our online form. You can also contact us when it's safe to do so, and a member of our team will call you back at a time you choose.
Make a referral
Support workers, IDVAs and agencies can email us with "Referral" in the subject line.
Have these ready, if you can
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About us
Non-Molestation Order - No Cost helps people protect themselves from domestic abuse by getting Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders prepared properly, at no cost.
What we do
Applying to court on your own can feel overwhelming. We take the stress out of it. You tell us what has happened, and we prepare your witness statement and form FL401 so they are clear and complete. We then guide you on how to sign and submit them to the court yourself. We do not submit applications on your behalf.
How we work
- Free. We never charge for our help. There is no court fee for these orders.
- Confidential. Your information is only used to prepare your application.
- Quick. Urgent cases are prioritised so you can get protection fast.
- Victim-led. You decide what goes in your statement, and you stay in control of submitting it.
Legal aid
If you qualify for legal aid, a solicitor can represent you and the Legal Aid Agency pays. If you don't qualify, we still prepare your papers for free so you can apply yourself.
Email Support@non-molestation.co.uk or use our online form.
Privacy notice
How we use and protect the information you give us.
What we collect
When you fill in our application form or contact us, we collect your contact details, details about the Respondent, information about what has happened to you, your finances (for the legal aid check), your home and any children.
Why we use it
Only to prepare your Non-Molestation and/or Occupation Order application, to check whether you qualify for legal aid, and to contact you about your case. We never sell your information or use it for marketing.
Who sees it
Our team, and, with your agreement, a solicitor and the Family Court. When an order is made, the Respondent receives your application and statement. Your address can be kept confidential using form C8.
Keeping it safe
Your answers are sent directly to our secure inbox. Nothing is stored on the device you use to fill in the form.
How long we keep it
We keep your information only as long as needed for your case and to meet our legal obligations, and then delete it securely.
Your rights
You can ask to see, correct or delete the information we hold about you. Email Support@non-molestation.co.uk. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).
Apply now
Answer the questions below in your own words. We use your answers to prepare your witness statement and FL401 application. We then send them to you with guidance on how to sign and submit them to the court yourself.
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