Apply for a domestic violence court order

To apply for a Domestic Violence Order, you must complete an Application for a Domestic Violence Order. This form includes information about each order and what you can apply for based on your relationship to the respondent.

Important: Download and open the form using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Learn more about each type of order

• What is a Protection Order
• What is an Interim Barring Order
• What is a Safety Order
• What is a Barring Order

You can download the application form, print it, and bring the completed copy to your local court office. Alternatively, court staff can provide you with the form when you attend in person.

In the form, you must explain why you need an interim order. This helps the judge decide whether to grant it.

If you want the order to cover any dependent children, you must include them in your application. If you have more than four dependent children, you should also complete and attach the Additional Child Details form.

If you already applied for a long-term order without asking for an interim order at the time, you can request an Application for an Interim Domestic Violence Order from the court office.

After you complete and file your application at the court office, staff will arrange a short court hearing with a judge. This could happen on the same day or within a day or two. In some court areas, the hearing may take place in the same building as the court office.

You may ask to bring a support worker to the hearing if you wish.

Ex parte hearings

Most applications are heard ex parte. This means the hearing can go ahead without the respondent being notified in advance and without them being present in the courtroom.

Remote attendance

You may ask to attend the hearing remotely by video link. The judge will decide if this is appropriate based on your situation.

What happens at the hearing

The judge will read your application form. They may also ask you for more information to help them decide.

The judge’s decision

There are three possible outcomes:

• The interim order is granted. You will receive a temporary order. This also allows you to continue applying for a long-term Safety Order or Barring Order, or both. You will receive a copy of the order. The order comes into effect once the respondent is notified:
  • If the respondent was in court, they are considered notified.
  • If not, the judge will direct whether the order is served by the Courts Service or Gardaí.
  • If it is safe, you may notify the respondent yourself by giving them a copy of the order.
  You will also receive a court summons for the full hearing of the application.
• The interim order is refused, but you may still apply for a long-term order. The judge allows your case to proceed to a full hearing for a Safety Order, Barring Order, or both.
• All orders are refused. The judge does not grant either the interim or long-term order.

The Courts Service or An Garda Síochána will serve the respondent. This means the respondent will receive a copy of the following documents:

• A copy of the interim domestic violence order
• A Domestic Violence Summons for the full court hearing of the Safety Order, Barring Order or both
• A copy of your sworn information (Section E only — not your full application form)
• A note of any evidence you gave at the interim court hearing (if applicable)

The court office will also send a copy of the order to An Garda Síochána for their records.

If the respondent breaches the order, contact the Gardaí immediately.

More information on what happens if someone breaches a court order >

You will have received a summons with the date, time and venue of your court hearing. This is for your application for a long-term domestic violence order (Safety Order, Barring Order, or both).

You must attend court on the date and time listed in your summons. The respondent is also expected to attend this full hearing.

Giving evidence in court

Both you and the respondent may give evidence. This means you will take an oath and explain your situation to the judge.

Cross-examination may happen. The judge will decide how this is done. The respondent may:

• Ask you questions directly
• Ask questions through their solicitor or barrister

What the judge can decide

After hearing all the evidence, the judge may:

• Grant the order — the judge agrees to your request and will outline how long the order lasts, and any terms to protect you and any dependent children.
• Refuse the order — the judge does not agree to issue the long-term order you applied for.
• Adjourn the application — the hearing is postponed to a later date.
• Strike out the application — the case is cancelled, for example if you or your solicitor do not attend. Any temporary orders (such as Protection Orders or Interim Barring Orders) are also cancelled.

More information on preparing for Family Law court >

When children are involved

If children are involved, the judge may request information about their safety, wellbeing, and care. If the child is old enough and mature enough, their views may be considered. The judge may ask for a professional report from an expert such as a child psychologist or social worker.

More information about reports about children >

If a court order is granted

• You and the respondent will each receive a copy of the order.
• The court office will send a copy to An Garda Síochána for their records.

The court order will explain the judge’s decision and outline the terms of the Safety Order, Barring Order, or both.

Important: It is a criminal offence to breach a domestic violence order. If the respondent breaks the terms of the order, contact the Gardaí immediately.

More information on what happens if someone breaches a court order >

If you are not happy with the court’s decision

You may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court. This means asking the Circuit Court to hear the case again and make a new decision.

Your appeal documents must be served and filed within 14 days of the District Court decision.

More information on appealing a District Court order >