[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/forced-marriage-protection-remedies-family-court\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/forced-marriage-protection-remedies-family-court\/","headline":"Forced marriage protection and remedies in the family court","name":"Forced marriage protection and remedies in the family court","description":"Forced marriage destroys choice and often exposes victims to abuse. The law in England and Wales recognises forced marriage as a serious harm and provides swift protective remedies through the family court and the criminal courts. This guide explains legal definitions, how Forced Marriage Protection Orders work, who can apply, what evidence helps your case [...]","datePublished":"2025-11-09","dateModified":"2025-10-20","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/author\/peter-ajlo\/#Person","name":"Peter AJLO","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/author\/peter-ajlo\/","identifier":19,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/4e9ed8756d384157eb826e4bc67ffb46.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/4e9ed8756d384157eb826e4bc67ffb46.jpg","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"AlexanderJLO London Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ajlo-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ajlo-logo.png","width":460,"height":275}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8678-scaled.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8678-scaled.jpeg","height":1707,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/forced-marriage-protection-remedies-family-court\/","about":["Family Law"],"wordCount":1626,"articleBody":"Forced marriage destroys choice and often exposes victims to abuse. The law in England and Wales recognises forced marriage as a serious harm and provides swift protective remedies through the family court and the criminal courts. This guide explains legal definitions, how Forced Marriage Protection Orders work, who can apply, what evidence helps your case and practical steps to get urgent protection and long term safety.What is forced marriageA forced marriage occurs when someone marries without their free and full consent because of pressure, threat or coercion. Pressure can look like emotional blackmail, threats to the victim or their family, or threats to withdraw financial support or community standing. Forced marriage differs from arranged marriage where both people consent after negotiation and where they retain the right to refuse.Legal framework and key legislation– Family Law: The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 gives the family courts explicit power to issue Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs) and other protective measures. – Criminal law: The Anti\u2011social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 created the criminal offence of forcing someone to marry. Prosecutors can pursue criminal charges where evidence supports them. – Children Act 1989 and Human Rights law: Courts apply the child welfare principle and rights under the European Convention on Human Rights to protect victims and decide best outcomes for children involved.Who can apply for protection– A victim can apply personally to the family court for an FMPO. – A third party can apply on a victim\u2019s behalf: local authorities, the police, doctors, teachers, support charities or any person with the court\u2019s permission. – In cases involving children social services often issue applications to secure immediate protection. The court welcomes applications from third parties where the victim cannot safely apply alone.What a Forced Marriage Protection Order can doAn FMPO can include wide protective measures tailored to the victim\u2019s circumstances. Typical provisions include:– Prohibiting the respondent from forcing, arranging or facilitating a marriage – Restraining the respondent from contacting the victim directly or indirectly – Ordering the respondent to surrender passports or travel documents to prevent removal abroad – Requiring attendance for counselling or for the return of personal documents – Granting the applicant a power to search premises or require disclosure of documents in urgent situations, where appropriateThe court designs orders to prevent immediate harm and to reduce the risk of removal or forced compliance.Urgent protection: ex parte hearings and emergency stepsIf a victim faces imminent risk the applicant can request an ex parte hearing. The court can make temporary FMPOs without notifying the respondent where giving notice would increase risk. Ex parte orders provide immediate legal protection until the court can list a return hearing where both sides can present evidence.The application process: step by step1. Seek support and legal adviceContact the police, a local domestic abuse service or a specialist forced marriage unit for immediate safety planning and advice. Legal aid may cover some forced marriage cases, especially where risk to children or domestic violence exists.2. Complete court forms and prepare witness evidenceFile Form A or the local equivalent application; include a witness statement that sets out recent incidents, threats, travel plans and identity of those involved. Attach contemporaneous documents such as messages, emails, travel bookings and police reports.3. Request urgent hearing if necessaryIf you face imminent removal, ask the court for an ex parte hearing and explain the urgency clearly in your evidence.4. Attend the return hearingAt the return hearing the court considers evidence from both parties. The judge then decides whether to continue, vary or discharge interim protections and may make final FMPOs.5. Enforce and review ordersFMPOs carry criminal sanctions for deliberate breach. Victims should report breaches promptly to the police and to their solicitor so enforcement action can follow.Evidence that strengthens an applicationThe court requires reliable, relevant evidence. Useful material includes:– Contemporaneous communications: texts emails social media messages and recorded calls that show threats coercion or arrangements for travel and marriage – Travel documentation: flight bookings hotel reservations or passports held by respondents or family members – Police reports and crime reference numbers that show prior incidents or reporting history – Medical records documenting injuries or mental health consequences of coercion – Witness statements from teachers employers neighbours or extended family who observed controlling behaviour or threats – Professional reports: social services assessments, CAFASS reports in child cases or specialist NGO assessmentsKeep originals safe and provide the court with paginated copies in a clear bundle.Children and forced marriageWhere a child faces risk the court acts swiftly under the Children Act 1989. The court can make FMPOs alongside Emergency Protection Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders or Child Arrangements Orders to secure immediate safety and to prevent removal from the jurisdiction. The child\u2019s welfare remains paramount and the court may direct social services involvement, safeguarding assessments or specialist therapeutic support.Passport surrender and travel preventionA common risk involves removal abroad to force a marriage. Courts can order surrender of passports and other travel documents by the respondent or by third parties holding them. The court can also require banks or travel agents to notify authorities of suspicious transactions or bookings. Where removal already occurred the 1980 Hague Convention may assist for cross\u2011border recovery if the destination state is a contracting party.Criminal proceedings and parallel civil remediesThe criminal offence of forcing someone to marry carries significant penalties. Police can investigate and prosecutors may bring charges while the family court handles civil protection. The civil and criminal processes run independently but can complement one another. Civil FMPOs provide immediate protection while criminal investigations proceed without needing high criminal proof thresholds for interim relief.Enforcement and consequences of breachBreaching an FMPO may constitute contempt of court and can attract committal, fines or other sanctions. Breach of certain protective conditions also constitutes a criminal offence where legislation so provides. If a respondent breaches an FMPO report the breach to the police immediately and ask your solicitor to make an enforcement application to the family court.International and cross\u2011border considerationsForced marriage often involves international elements such as relocation, dual nationality and foreign family pressures. Central government and local authorities coordinate with foreign missions and the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides specialist advice, diplomatic assistance and liaison with overseas authorities. Where a child has been removed abroad the FMU and Hague Convention procedures can both assist recovery and legal remedies.Practical safety planning and immediate steps– Call 999 if you face immediate danger. The police can intervene and remove immediate risk. – Contact the Forced Marriage Unit for confidential advice and to use their 24\/7 helpline. – Use local refuges and domestic abuse services for emergency accommodation and safety planning. – Keep passports and essential documents secure or place them with a trusted third party or solicitor. – Record incidents contemporaneously, dated and signed where possible, and preserve digital communications with screenshots and metadata. – Tell your child\u2019s school or GP where relevant to ensure safeguarding measures. – Seek a MIAM exemption if you need to issue urgent family proceedings without attending mediation first.Support organisations and helplines– Forced Marriage Unit (FCO): specialist help for cases involving overseas removal and embassy assistance – National domestic abuse charities and local refuges: safety planning, housing and advocacy – Specialist legal clinics and law centres: help with court forms legal aid advice and representation – Child protection services and Cafcass: welfare assessments in cases involving childrenConfidentiality and privacyVictims often need confidentiality to stay safe. Courts and organisations respect privacy and can arrange anonymised proceedings or private hearings where publication would risk safety. Apply for reporting restrictions or anonymity orders early if you fear reprisals or community harm.Long term recovery and supportBeyond legal remedies victims often need long term welfare support. Access counselling, financial advice and social services help to rebuild independence. Consider safety measures such as protected addresses, name change by deed poll and secure handling of personal information online.Practical checklist for anyone at risk of forced marriage– Contact the police or the Forced Marriage Unit immediately if you face imminent removal – Preserve evidence: screenshots, messages, travel bookings and witness details – Seek urgent legal help to apply for an FMPO and for passport surrender where needed – Use local domestic abuse services for safety planning and emergency accommodation – Inform schools GP and relevant professionals about safeguarding needs for children – Keep a record of all contacts with agencies, police and support servicesConclusionForced marriage remains a grave violation of human rights and personal autonomy. England and Wales provide strong legal tools to prevent forced marriages and to protect victims through Forced Marriage Protection Orders and criminal sanctions. Act quickly when risk arises, gather clear evidence, use specialist support services and consider both civil and criminal remedies to secure immediate safety and long term protection. If you or someone you know faces the threat of forced marriage contact the police, the Forced Marriage Unit or a specialist support organisation without delay.At Alexander JLO we have many years of experience of dealing with all aspects of family law and will be happy to discuss your case in a free no obligation consultation. Why not call us on\u00a0+44 (0)20 7537 7000, email us at info@london-law.co.uk or get in touch via the contact us button and see what we can do for you?This blog was prepared by Alexander JLO\u2019s senior partner, Peter Johnson on 9th November 2025 and is correct at the time of publication. With decades of experience in almost all areas of law Peter is happy to assist with any legal issue that you have. He is widely regarded as one of London\u2019s leading divorce lawyers. His profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be found Here"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Forced marriage protection and remedies in the family court","item":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/forced-marriage-protection-remedies-family-court\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]