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How to file a personal protection order application

Find out what information you have to provide, the steps you have to take and where you can file your personal protection order application.

Before you file

Before you file an application for a personal protection order (PPO), make sure you:

Understand what constitutes family violence.
Understand who you can file the PPO application against.
Understand if you are eligible to file a PPO application.
Understand the PPO application process.
Understand the types of orders the court may make.

Key facts

Refer to the following on how you can file a PPO application.

If you are filing the application, you are the applicant.

The other party is the respondent.

How to apply

You may file an application:

Online via the Integrated Family Application Management System (iFAMS).
- You will still have to visit the Family Protection Centre (FPC) at the Family Justice Courts (FJC) or any Protection Specialist Centres (PSC) or Pave Integrated Services For Individual And Family Protection Specialist Centre (ISIFPSC) to complete the application after submitting your information online.
In person at the FPC.
In person at any PSC or PAVE ISIFPSC.

Fees

$1

Note

What you will need

You will need to provide the following information or documents when filing your application:

The latest and past incidents of family violence including the date and time, place, brief details, type of violence and injuries sustained.
The nature of your relationship with the respondent.
The details of family members involved in the incidents.
The orders that you are applying for.
- For example, you will have to state if you are applying for a PPO only, or a PPO with a domestic exclusion order (DEO).
Police or medical reports to support your application (if applicable).

Note

Where to file

You may file a PPO application at any of the following locations.

You may visit the FPC at the FJC to apply in person during the operating hours.

The FPC is located at Level 1 of the FJC at Havelock Square.

You may visit the following agencies to apply in person.

How to file

You will need to follow these steps to file and serve your claim.

Step	Result
1. File your application	Your application is filed at the FJC.
2. Meet with a court family specialist or social worker	You get the necessary information with regards to your safety may be referred to support agencies, if required.
3. Meet with the duty judge	The judge allows you to proceed with or dismisses your application.

You are encouraged to submit your draft application and documents online via iFAMS before heading down to the FPC or an PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC. Doing so will mean less time spent processing your application at the FPC or PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC.

Refer to the following steps for the iFAMS application process:

Log in to iFAMS and select Application for a personal protection order.
Proceed to fill in the online form.
Save your work and choose whether you wish to have your application and documents checked at the FPC or any PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC.
- You will have to bring the documents you are relying on so they can be checked or filed together with your application at the FPC or PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC, if required.

For detailed instructions, refer to the iFAMS user guide.

After submitting your information online, you may then visit the FPC at the FJC or approach any of the PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC to complete your application.

Alternatively, you may visit the FPC at the FJC or any PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC to file your application in-person.

Once you arrive at the FPC to make or complete your application, a court family specialist (CFS) will be assigned to attend to you for a one-to-one session. The session may take around 30 to 45 minutes (excluding waiting time).

If you are filing your application at an PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC, a social worker will guide you through the session instead.

During the session, the CFS or social worker will:

Provide you with the necessary information on the PPO application.
Cover issues with regard to your safety.
Assess the needs of your family and your needs.
- The CFS or social worker may make necessary referrals to the appropriate community and support agencies when required.

How the session is conducted

In most circumstances, the session will involve the CFS or social worker speaking to you. If required, a support person such as a family member may be involved in your session with the CFS.

During the session, it will be helpful for you to:

Share openly with the CFS or social worker your concerns and reasons for your PPO application.
- However, should the CFS or social worker assess that there is an immediate risk of harm to you or your other family members, or if there are allegations of serious child abuse, they are obligated to inform the relevant agencies to ensure the safety of your family members or yourself.
Take up the necessary referrals that the CFS or social worker may assist in.

The session with the CFS or social worker will be conducted in a private room and the details of the session will not be disclosed to your other family members of the case. Only details provided in your application form and the outcome of the session will be made known to the respondent. If necessary, the CFS or social worker will seek your consent before sharing any information which may be helpful for the respondent to know.

If you are afraid to see the respondent in court, you may discuss with the CFS for alternative arrangements to be made, such as attending the court mention at a video-link agency.

This option is not available if your case proceeds to a hearing.

After attending the session with the CFS or social worker, you will have to appear before a duty judge where you will confirm the truth of the contents of your application. Attendance before a judge can be in-person or by video conference.

The judge may ask questions to clarify the information in your application. You will then have to swear or affirm that the contents of your application and your answers to the judge are true and correct.

It is a serious offence to include statements that you know to be untrue or incorrect in a sworn or affirmed application.

If your application is accepted

If your application is in order, the judge will accept your application and decide whether to issue a summons to the respondent or to dismiss your application. This summons is a court document directing the respondent to attend a court session known as a court mention at a scheduled time and date.

Depending on the nature of your case, the judge may also issue an expedited order (EO) if they find that there is imminent danger of family violence.

You will then have to pay a sum of $1 for the issuance of the summons.

The court will serve the summons on the respondent at the address provided in your application.

The duty judge may not be:

The same judge hearing the PPO application.
The same judge giving directions at the court mention.

You will also be issued a mention slip containing the date and time for you to attend the court mention. At the court mention, the respondent will state if they consent to your application.

Need help?

The information here is for general guidance as the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may want to get independent legal advice.

Find out more