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Written question asked by Gregory Stafford (Conservative) on Monday, 1 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. It was answered by Catherine Atkinson (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Non-molestation Orders

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many non-molestation order applications under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 were resolved by undertaking in 2024 and 2025; and whether his Department plans to begin publishing that data.

Answer

In his leadership capacity as the Head of Family Justice, the President of the Family Division regularly issues guidance aimed at judiciary and practitioners within the family justice system, in order to promote consistent and effective practice in family proceedings. Revised guidance on applications for Non-Molestation Orders, has been issued and came into force on 12 January 2026.

While it is for the Family Procedure Rule Committee to determine which projects it undertakes, it is the Department’s understanding that the Committee has no plans currently to formalise the President's guidance as a Practice Direction. The guidance will be applied alongside existing rules and Practice Directions relating to Non-Molestation Orders.

HMCTS does not centrally hold data on Non-Molestation Order applications made under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 that are resolved by undertaking. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5818
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Family law Non-molestation orders
Legislation
Family Law Act 1996
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk