Domestic abuse protection order (DAPO)

An order which intends to prevent a person (‘P’) from being abusive towards a person aged 16 or over to whom P is personally connected. It:

  • prohibits P from doing things described in the order; or
  • requires P to do things described in the order.

It is outlined in section 27 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

A domestic abuse protection order may be made:

  • on application (see section 28); or
  • in the course of certain proceedings (see section 31).

Section 32 sets out the conditions for making a domestic abuse protection order.

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