Mark Sheppard, instructed by Weightmans Solicitors, has secured the first Domestic Abuse Protection Order (‘DAPO’) on an application brought by the British Transport Police, as part of the ongoing pilot of the orders.
DAPOs are new civil protective orders introduced by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. They are wider in scope than the current Domestic Violence Protection Orders. For example, they may be imposed for any duration of time and include positive requirements. Breach of a DAPO is a criminal offence. The intention is that these orders will eventually replace DVPOs entirely with the government stating these orders will be the “go to protective order for domestic abuse”.
The new orders are currently being piloted as part of an initial 1-year period from November 2024 in various areas including Greater Manchester, Croydon, Bromley and Sutton.
