Apply for a forced marriage protection order
After you apply
You’ll be sent a ‘notice of proceedings’. It’ll tell you the date of your hearing.
You must arrange for the person named in the application (‘the respondent’) to be given (‘served’) a copy of your application and witness statement. You can:
- ask the court to serve the documents
- get someone else to serve the documents
- serve the documents yourself if this does not put you in danger
You’ll also have to download and fill in a statement of service to say where and when you served the documents - send this to the court.
Attend the hearing
Your case will usually be heard in private with you, the judge and your legal advisers.
You can get help and support at court.
You can ask for other help including:
- separate entrances, exits and waiting areas so you do not have to be in the same place as the person you’re making the order against
- protection at court, for example screens around the witness box
The court will provide an interpreter if you’ve asked for one. They can translate what happens during the hearing but they cannot represent you or give you legal advice.
You might have to give evidence.
You might be able to have a relative or friend with you in court.
Get a decision
The judge may decide:
- that more information is needed
- to make a temporary ‘interim’ order
- to make an order which will continue until it’s cancelled or changed by the court
- that the person you’ve applied for an injunction against must make an ‘undertaking’ (a promise) to do or not do something
You’ll usually get a decision about the order at the hearing based on your individual circumstances, for example you’ll get an order that stops your family forcing you into a marriage.
You’ll get a copy of the order and any other court documents necessary.
After the hearing
You can apply to change or extend (‘vary’) or end (‘discharge’) the order by filling in form FL403A.
You must arrange to give (‘serve’) a copy of the forced marriage protection order (if you get one) and any other court documents on the respondents and any other person named in the order.
You must also give the police both of the following:
- a copy of the order
- a statement saying you’ve given a copy of the order to the respondents and anyone else named in the order
Take the order and statement to the police station nearest to your address unless you’re told otherwise.
Appeal a decision
You may be able to appeal against a decision if you think there’s been a serious mistake. You must get permission and you’ll usually have to pay a fee. Read the guidance about how to make an appeal.
Make a complaint
Use the complaints guidance if you’re not happy with the way you’ve been treated.