Served with a non-molestation application in Essex?
A non-molestation or occupation order application can arrive without warning, wherever you are in Essex. Justice Centre helps respondents in Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend-on-Sea and across Essex check whether they may qualify for legal aid, and refers them to independent solicitors who do legal aid work.
Help for respondents in Essex
An application on form FL401 asks the Family Court for a non-molestation order, an occupation order, or both. If you have been served with one, you are the respondent. It is an allegation, not a finding, and you are entitled to respond. The timescales can be short, so it helps to get support early.
We support people in Essex, including Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Harlow, Brentwood, Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea, Witham, Maldon, Billericay, Grays, Rayleigh, Rochford, Canvey Island, Epping, Loughton, Saffron Walden, Halstead, Burnham-on-Crouch, Frinton-on-Sea, Harwich, Wickford, Benfleet, Brightlingsea, Great Dunmow, Chipping Ongar, Waltham Abbey, Tilbury, South Woodham Ferrers, Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Shoeburyness, Walton-on-the-Naze, Coggeshall, Hockley, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Thurrock, Purfleet, Chafford Hundred, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Pitsea, Laindon, Hadleigh and Holland-on-Sea.
Towns and areas we support in Essex
- Chelmsford
- Colchester
- Southend-on-Sea
- Basildon
- Harlow
- Brentwood
- Braintree
- Clacton-on-Sea
- Witham
- Maldon
- Billericay
- Grays
- Rayleigh
- Rochford
- Canvey Island
- Epping
- Loughton
- Saffron Walden
- Halstead
- Burnham-on-Crouch
- Frinton-on-Sea
- Harwich
- Wickford
- Benfleet
- Brightlingsea
- Great Dunmow
- Chipping Ongar
- Waltham Abbey
- Tilbury
- South Woodham Ferrers
- Leigh-on-Sea
- Westcliff-on-Sea
- Shoeburyness
- Walton-on-the-Naze
- Coggeshall
- Hockley
- Stanford-le-Hope
- Corringham
- Thurrock
- Purfleet
- Chafford Hundred
- Buckhurst Hill
- Chigwell
- Pitsea
- Laindon
- Hadleigh
- Holland-on-Sea
What to do first
- Read every page of your papers and note the hearing date, time and court
- Follow any order that has been made, exactly as written
- Do not contact the applicant if you have been told not to
- Keep messages, emails and photographs safe
- Start a dated account of events in your own words
- Contact us early so we can talk through your papers
How Justice Centre assists in Essex
- Help checking whether you may qualify for legal aid
- Referral, with your consent, to an independent panel solicitor who does legal aid work
- Help gathering the documents a legal aid application usually needs
- Plain-English explanation of your papers and what to expect at your hearing
Read more
- Served with an FL401? What to do next
- An order made without notice
- Responding to the application
- What to expect at your hearing
- Undertakings and breach of an order
Common questions
Can you help respondents in Essex?
Yes. Justice Centre supports respondents across Essex, including Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon and Harlow. Contact us and we will explain how support can work for your hearing.
I live in Colchester and have been served with an FL401. What should I do first?
Read everything carefully, note the hearing date and keep all your papers together. Do not contact the applicant if the papers or an order say you must not. Then get support as early as you can.
Is legal aid available for respondents in Essex?
Legal aid may be available to some respondents in England and Wales depending on means and the merits of the case. A legal aid solicitor or Civil Legal Advice can assess this.
Which court will my hearing be at?
Your hearing notice states the Family Court and the date. It may not be the court closest to you. If you are unsure, check the notice or contact the court named on it.
Is Justice Centre a law firm?
No. We do not provide legal advice or reserved legal activities. We provide guidance, hearing preparation and McKenzie Friend support.
Nearby areas
Take the first step
Tell us a little about your situation and we will explain how we can help. Everything you share is treated in confidence.
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