Darlington: non-molestation orders, injunctions and form FL401
Live in Darlington or nearby – Richmond (North Yorkshire), Northallerton, Barnard Castle and surrounding areas – and need protection from a partner, ex or relative? We put together your court application for free. Papers from this area normally go to the Darlington County Court and Family Court.
If you are in danger right now, ring 999. Unable to talk? Dial 999 and press 55. Free 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247.
Which court deals with Darlington cases?
For addresses around Darlington, protective injunction applications are usually handled by the Darlington County Court and Family Court. The Family Court can use more than one building, and many urgent hearings now take place by telephone or video, so the court will tell you where and how yours will be heard.
Court phone numbers and email addresses do change. Before sending anything, check the latest details on GOV.UK: Darlington County Court and Family Court on Find a Court.
Towns and districts near Darlington
We regularly help people from Darlington, Richmond (North Yorkshire), Northallerton, Barnard Castle and Catterick. Not on the list? Look at every court area, or enter your postcode on GOV.UK to see which court covers your home.
DarlingtonRichmond (North Yorkshire)NorthallertonBarnard CastleCatterick
Domestic abuse injunctions in Darlington
The two injunctions most people need are a non-molestation order, which forbids threats, violence, harassment and unwanted contact, and an occupation order, which deals with who may live in the home. Both are requested on one form, the FL401, and neither carries a court fee. Read how injunction applications work or compare the different protection orders.
Your FL401 for the Darlington County Court and Family Court
Form FL401 is identical across England and Wales, whether you are in Darlington, Catterick or anywhere in between. What changes is the court it goes to. You can apply through us online and we will draft the FL401, your statement and, if needed, the confidential address form C8. Prefer to do it yourself? Our FL401 walkthrough explains every section.
Step by step from Darlington
- Answer our online questions – start here. Most people finish in under half an hour.
- We draft your papers: the FL401, a witness statement in your words and, where your address must stay hidden, form C8.
- Sign and email them to the Darlington County Court and Family Court. If you need protection immediately, put URGENT – without notice FL401 in the subject line and ring the court to let them know.
- Join the hearing, which for urgent cases is often the same or the next working day.
- Arrange service – the court bailiff can hand the order to the other person free of charge if you send form D89. See serving the order.
More background: non-molestation orders, occupation orders and emergency orders.
Local help around Darlington
Councils covering this court include:
- Darlington Borough Council
- North Yorkshire Council
Every council publishes details of local refuges, outreach teams and Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs). Search for the council name with "domestic abuse services". An IDVA can help you plan for your safety, deal with housing, and support you through court – they can even sit with you while you answer our questions.
Already working with the police? Let your officer know you are applying, and pass them a copy of the order once you have it.
Legal aid near Darlington
If you qualify for legal aid, a solicitor can run the whole application for you at no cost. Search GOV.UK's "Find a legal aid adviser" by postcode and pick Family. Our questionnaire includes a quick eligibility check – and if legal aid isn't available, we still draft your papers free.
Let us draft your court papers – free
Tell us what has been happening, in your own words. We write up your FL401 application and supporting statement at no cost, then explain how to sign them and get them to the Family Court. The court charges nothing either.