Domestic Violence and Abuse Lawyers
Helping survivors of domestic abuse through legal proceedings
Domestic abuse is cruel and complex and can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, religion or race. While it is often a pattern of abusive behaviour that occurs over time, for several weeks, months or even years, a single incident can also be enough to cause serious harm.
If you are in danger, please call 999 immediately and request the police. Support is also available through the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or their website.
Our domestic violence lawyers help support individuals who have experienced abuse in all its forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, economic and online.
We also help clients facing coercive control, financial abuse, post-separation abuse, and tech-enabled abuse.
Every survivor's experience is unique, and our team provide support while keeping your safety at the heart of everything we do. We help you understand your legal options, from getting protective orders (such as non-molestation or occupation orders), safeguarding children or resolving complex financial issues rooted in controlling or abusive relationships.
Our specialist lawyers are all members of Resolution. Our team are also ranked by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for our expertise in family law.
Our commitment to supporting survivors of domestic abuse goes beyond legal representation. We work closely with frontline organisations and local charities that provide refuge, practical support and therapeutic services to women and children fleeing abuse.
One of our specialist lawyers has longstanding relationships with domestic abuse charities across the West Midlands, regularly collaborating with professionals in the community to ensure legal advice is part of a joined-up approach to safeguarding, recovery and long-term protection.
Through our work with charities in supporting families in crisis and women in refuge accommodations, they bring insight, compassion and deep understanding to the legal process, ensuring that clients feel empowered, heard and safe.
Request legal advice on domestic abuse
How our domestic abuse solicitors can help
Our experienced team provide quick, pragmatic support tailored to your situation. We regularly assist clients in securing protective orders, including:
- Non-molestation orders: Prevent an abuser from using or threatening violence, harassment, or intimidation. Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence.
- Occupation orders: Remove an abuser from your home and the area around it, so you and any children can stay safely where you are.
- Family Court Representation: Our experienced domestic abuse lawyers will represent you in all court hearings, ensuring your rights are protected.
We help you get the legal protection you need. We know how difficult it can be after leaving an abusive relationship, and we work hard to keep you safe.
We act quickly in emergency cases and can help make same-day or urgent applications where required.
Why choose Higgs LLP domestic violence lawyers?
Our domestic abuse solicitors offer:
- Specialist knowledge in domestic abuse law and family court cases.
- Emergency response for urgent applications for protective orders.
- Straightforward advice on your legal rights, funding options and next steps.
- Compassionate approach - we listen, we support, we act
- Strong safeguarding awareness – working with charities, refuges and professionals, we can connect you with other services when helpful.
- Private consultations to discuss your situation safely and discreetly.
Meet our domestic violence lawyers
Philip Barnsley
Partner and Head of Family Law
Richard Westley
Legal Director - Family Law
Karen Gray
Senior Associate - Family Law
Rhian Gray
Partner - Family Law
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is, sadly, common. It is defined as single or multiple instances resulting in a pattern of coercive, degrading, threatening, controlling or violent behaviour, which can include, but is not limited to, sexual violence.
The majority of domestic abuse is at the hands of a partner or ex-partner, but it can also be from other family members or carers. The abuse is usually directed at women by men, but not always.
If you're in immediate danger, please call 999. For confidential advice, our team are here to help you understand your legal options and protect your safety.
Domestic abuse can take many forms.
Physical and sexual abuse
Physical abuse is causing intentional bodily injury. It includes hitting, punching, slapping, pinching, kicking, shoving, inappropriate use of drugs, physical force or restraints. There will be signs of physical abuse.
Sexual abuse is non-consensual sexual contact or, in simple terms, any unwanted sexual contact.
Emotional or psychological abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse can include behaviour such as manipulation, threats, degradation or gaslighting.
Coercive control
Coercive control is a pattern of intimidation and abuse to control behaviour and restrict one's freedom. This can include tactics, manipulation and intimidation. It is more subtle, but it is no less serious.
Our solicitors have handled many coercive control cases and can help you gather evidence to make strong cases for protection orders.
Economic abuse
Economic abuse includes exerting control over income, spending, bank accounts, bills and borrowing. It includes controlling access to money, bank accounts, benefits, or employment, leaving someone financially dependent or vulnerable, forcing them to become dependent on the perpetrator financially.
Post-separation abuse
These are patterns of abuse that continue after a relationship has ended and can take many forms, long after the relationship has ended, which can cause problems if there are children involved.
Our team have particular experience with ongoing harassment and intimidation that continues after separation, making sure child contact arrangements put safety first.
Tech abuse
Tech abuse is also known as digital abuse. A form of controlling behaviour that uses technology as a means of coercing, stalking or harassing you. This may be achieved by hacking your phone, apps, social media, cameras, or other types of technology.
Tech abuse is a growing concern in today's digital world, and our domestic violence lawyers handle these cases with care and sensitivity.
We can help protect you from online harassment, stalking, and other forms of technology abuse.
Legal Aid for domestic abuse cases
We are not a provider of Legal Aid. However, we will always advise you if you are eligible and can guide you on how to access Legal Aid through other services, where appropriate.
Many clients choose private funding because they:
- Don't meet Legal Aid criteria
- Need a faster response than Legal Aid providers can offer
- Prefer consistent, experienced legal representation
We offer transparent and competitive pricing at every stage. We understand that this is a time of uncertainty, so we break down costs upfront – no hidden fees, just straightforward legal advice when you need it most.
Emergency legal protection
Our team provide swift, strategic support tailored to your situation. We regularly assist clients in securing protective orders. In urgent situations, we can apply for emergency protection orders on the same day. We can get these without telling your abuser first when you're at immediate risk.
Protection orders usually last six to twelve months but can be extended if needed. Once granted, the police can enforce these orders, and breaking them is a criminal offence.
False accusations of domestic abuse
We understand that false accusations can be devastating. If someone has made a domestic abuse allegation against you, it is crucial to seek early advice.
Our solicitors have experience representing clients who face untrue or exaggerated claims. We will provide a sensitive, discreet service while giving you the strong legal representation you need to protect your rights and reputation.
Do you need help now?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, contact our team for confidential legal advice. We understand that these situations are urgent and can arrange emergency consultations as needed.
We will listen, guide you through your legal options and work quickly to help protect you and your family.
