Our Family Law team undertakes work in all aspects of relationship breakdown and is here to help and provide you with the highest quality of service.
At Pearl Baker Solicitors, we understand the profound impact that domestic abuse can have on your life and well-being. Whether you’re experiencing physical, emotional, financial, or coercive abuse, our dedicated team is here to provide the legal support and protection you need.
We offer compassionate, confidential advice tailored to your situation, helping you take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and regain control.
Our Expert Team
Our highly experienced and dedicated team is committed to providing expert guidance through every step of your legal journey. We are here to support you through your life’s most challenging moments, ensuring you feel confident and informed throughout the process.

Pearl Baker
Principal

Toni Thomas
Senior Solicitor

Cathy Bannister
Senior Solicitor
Legal protections against domestic abuse
Under the Family Law Act 1996 a party can apply for:
i. A Non-Molestation Order which is an Order of the Court preventing one party from harassing or threatening the other. Breach of such an Order is a criminal offence.
ii. An Occupation Order which is an Order of the Court defining who has the right to remain in the family home. An Occupation Order does not affect the legal ownership of the home.
In addition to these Orders the Serious Crimes Act 2015 made coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate or family relationship an offence under criminal law. The term coercive control is a term used to describe a repeated or continual pattern of behaviour that causes emotional or psychological harm for the victim.
This behaviour can include but is not limited to:
- Isolating a person from their friends and family
- Depriving a person of their basic needs
- Monitoring a persons social media and their communications with others
- Controlling aspects of a persons daily life, for example, who they see, what clothes they wear etc
- Economic abuse (for example controlling bank accounts, taking wages or salary and benefit payments)
- Harassment and stalking
- Physical abuse
- Sexual assault
The serious impact of domestic abuse may also be relevant when considering maintenance. This is particularly important in circumstances where a victim of domestic abuse is unable to return to work for the foreseeable future having suffered from physical and mental abuse.
Impact of coercive control and economic abuse
Coercive control and/or economic abuse can influence a financial award. There are a number of considerations that the Court will have regard to when determining the financial award of each case. Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 provides a non-exhaustive list of matters to be taken into consideration, including Section 25 (2)(g) being the conduct of each of the parties.
In the case of OC v AG (2020) EWFC52 Mostyn J provided four scenarios where economic abuse may be considered as conduct. These four scenarios are:-
- Gross and obvious personal misconduct where there is a financial consequence;
- Wantonly and recklessly dissipating assets which would otherwise have formed part of the divisible matrimonial property.
- Litigation misconduct, in particular failure to negotiate openly and reasonably in an attempt to achieve a negotiated settlement.
- Failure to provide full and frank disclosure.

