Legal Update - 7 March 2025
Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (domestic abuse protection notices and domestic abuse protection notices) is in force only as a pilot in specified areas.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 6 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2024 brought the pilot into force in the specified areas of the London boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton and the Metropolitan District of Greater Manchester with effect from 27 November 2024.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 7 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025 extends the pilot to the non-metropolitan county of Cleveland, with effect from 5 March 2025.
This pilot ends on 26 November 2025.
While Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Domestic Abuse Protection Notices can only be made in pilot areas, non-piloting forces need to be aware of these as they are required to inform piloting forces of any breaches; and offences such as breach of a DAPO apply to all of England and Wales. For a detailed overview of DAPNs and DAPOs see our legal article.
