Jennifer Kavanagh, Jessica Mortimer and Oliver Kavanagh (a criminal barrister at 15NBS) have written an article for the New Law Journal on the enforcement of non-molestation orders (NMOs) and the criminalisation of breach under s.42A of the Family Law Act 1996.

The article highlights the continuing practical and legal difficulties in prosecuting breaches of NMOs. It analyses the impact of DPP v Stephenson [2025] EWHC 950 on procedural enforcement and considers whether the approach in R v O’Neill [2016] EWCA Crim 92 risks setting too high a threshold for conviction, undermining the preventative purpose of NMOs. 

The full article is available online via the link below.