Protection Orders & Domestic Violence Support in Surrey, BC
If you’re experiencing threats, intimidation, or any form of family violence, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate this process by yourself. Cote & Evans helps victims in Surrey get timely protection orders under the BC Family Law Act, offering clear legal guidance, compassionate support, and urgent action when safety is at risk.
If you’re in immediate danger, please call 911 right away.
Our family lawyers work with clients in Surrey — from Newton and Guilford, to Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Panorama Ridge, and South Surrey — and across the Lower Mainland to help them secure the protection and stability they need to move forward safely.
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Understanding Protection Orders in BC
A protection order is a court order designed to help keep you and your family safe from someone who has been violent, threatening, or emotionally abusive toward you. In British Columbia, these orders are made under the Family Law Act, and they are completely separate from criminal charges or peace bonds. You do not need a criminal case to be underway to apply for one.
Protection orders can require the respondent to:
- Stop contacting you directly or indirectly
- Stay away from your home, workplace, or child’s school
- Avoid following, watching, or communicating with you
- Surrender weapons
- Follow any conditions a judge believes are necessary for your safety
You may be eligible for a protection order if you have experienced or reasonably fear family violence, which includes:
- Physical violence or threats
- Intimidation, harassment, or stalking
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Financial control
- Destructive or unpredictable behaviour that puts you or your children at risk
Protection orders can be obtained through either Provincial Court or BC Supreme Court, depending on your situation. For many Surrey residents, the process involves filing at the Surrey Provincial Court on 56 Avenue, though our team will guide you in choosing the right venue and preparing everything needed for a strong application.
If your situation is urgent, the court can issue a protection order without notice to the other party, meaning you can get protection before they are even aware of your application.
Applying For A Protection Order In BC
Many people hesitate to seek a protection order because they worry their situation “isn’t serious enough.” Under the BC Family Law Act, family violence includes far more than physical injury. If someone’s behaviour is making you feel afraid, controlled, threatened, or unsafe, you may already meet the grounds for a protection order.
You may need a protection order if you are experiencing:
Physical Violence or Threats
This includes hitting, pushing, choking, blocking exits, throwing objects, or any explicit or implied threat of harm — even if it has “never gone that far before.”
Intimidation, Harassment & Stalking
Repeated calls, messages, uninvited visits, monitoring your whereabouts, or showing up unexpectedly at your home or workplace around Surrey and throughout the Lower Mainland.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Insults, manipulation, yelling, humiliation, unpredictable anger, or behaviour that causes you fear or anxiety — all of which can create a serious safety risk even when no physical contact occurs.
Coercive Control
Patterns of behaviour designed to control your daily life, such as isolating you from friends, dictating what you can do, or restricting access to money, transportation, or communication.
Property Damage or Threatening Behaviour
Punching walls, damaging belongings, breaking household items, or escalating behaviours that signal a loss of control.
Safety Concerns Involving Children
If children are witnessing violence, being used as a means to intimidate you, or are themselves at risk, the court may act quickly to impose conditions that protect the entire household.
If any of these situations feel familiar, you deserve support and safety. You do not need to wait for an incident to escalate before seeking help.
How Cote & Evans Helps Victims of Domestic Violence
When you’re dealing with domestic violence, the legal process can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re trying to protect yourself or your children. Our role is to make every step clearer, safer, and more manageable. At Cote & Evans, we can assist with the family law side of domestic violence matters, helping victims secure protection orders and navigate related family issues with confidence and support.
Confidential, Compassionate Legal Advice
Your conversations with us are private and judgment-free. We listen carefully, assess the risks, and help you understand your legal options under the Family Law Act without pressure or complexity.
Urgent Protection Order Applications
If you’re in danger, time matters. We help clients apply for urgent or without-notice protection orders, meaning the respondent does not hear about your application until after the court makes initial orders. We prepare all necessary documents and file them quickly.
Evidence Preparation & Strategy
You don’t need a “perfect” case to get protection. We help gather and organize evidence such as text messages, screenshots, police reports, medical documents, photos, or witness statements, ensuring your application is as strong as possible.
Representation in Surrey Courts
Our lawyers represent clients at both the Surrey Provincial Court and the BC Supreme Court, advocating for your safety and presenting your case clearly to the judge.
Support With Related Family Law Issues
Domestic violence often affects more than just physical safety. We can also help with:
- Temporary parenting orders
- Supervised access arrangements
- Exclusive occupancy of the family home
- Child and spousal support issues
- Communication restrictions
- Updates or enforcement of existing orders
- Ongoing guidance after the order Is granted
Safety doesn’t end with the order itself. We help you understand what happens next, what to do if the respondent breaches the order, and how to extend or modify it as needed.
Throughout the process, our priority is protecting your wellbeing while making sure you feel supported, informed, and never alone in navigating the legal system.
FAQ's
In urgent situations, a judge can grant a without-notice protection order the same day your application is filed. If your situation is not deemed urgent, a hearing may be scheduled within days or weeks. We help Surrey clients determine which process applies and prepare your documents for the fastest possible outcome.
No. Protection orders under the Family Law Act are civil orders, meaning you can apply even if you haven’t contacted police or if no criminal charges exist. Police involvement can support your case, but it is not required.
Evidence can include text messages, emails, screenshots, police reports, photos, medical records, or witness statements. However, you do not need perfect evidence to be protected. A clear, credible affidavit describing what has happened is often enough. We help you gather and organize all available evidence.
If the situation is urgent, a judge may issue a without-notice order, meaning the respondent is not informed until after the order is made. In non-urgent cases, the other party will be served with your application before the hearing. We advise on which process your situation qualifies for.
Protection orders are enforceable by police across BC. If the respondent breaches the order — even by text or social media — you can call police immediately. Breaches can result in arrest and criminal charges. We also help you document breaches and pursue further legal action if needed.
Possibly. Courts can grant exclusive occupancy orders, allowing you (and the children, if applicable) to remain in the home while requiring the respondent to leave. We help you determine if this is appropriate and request it when necessary.
Not always. If you are proceeding with an application with the BC Supreme Court, your lawyer will attend on your behalf. If you are proceeding in provincial court, you may be able to apply to appear by phone or video instead.
You may still qualify for a protection order. The Family Law Act recognizes emotional abuse, threats, harassment, intimidation, and coercive control as forms of family violence. Physical violence is not required.
Most protection orders last up to one year, but they can be extended or renewed if the risk continues. We help you assess ongoing safety concerns and apply for renewals before the order expires.
Yes. If the children are at risk or witnessing violence, the court can include them in the order and may impose parenting restrictions, supervised visits, or communication limits to protect them.
Urgent & After-Hours Considerations
Domestic violence doesn’t follow business hours, and neither does the need for protection. If you’re facing an urgent or escalating situation, Cote & Evans can help you understand your legal options quickly and take action as soon as possible.
Same-Day Consultations When Safety Is at Risk
In situations where your immediate safety or the safety of your children is in question, we make every effort to provide same-day legal guidance. We help you determine whether a without-notice protection order—an order granted before the other party is informed—may be appropriate.
What to Do if the Police Are Already Involved
If the police have attended an incident or made an arrest, you may have parallel processes happening:
- Police may pursue criminal charges, and
- You may still need a civil protection order for ongoing safety under the Family Law Act.
We explain how these processes work together and help ensure you remain protected between court dates and police actions.
Evenings, Weekends & Escalating Situations
If something happens outside regular hours, you can’t apply to the court immediately — but you can get guidance on what steps to take next. We help you:
- Understand how to stay safe until an application can be filed
- Document incidents that occur overnight or on weekends
- Prepare for an urgent filing the moment court opens
- Navigate police involvement if an incident has just happened
Urgent Filings at Surrey Provincial Court
Surrey Provincial Court frequently handles emergency family matters. When appropriate, we prepare urgent applications and submit them as soon as court hours begin, ensuring no time is wasted in seeking protection.
Our priority is to help you stay safe, feel supported, and understand your options — no matter when the situation arises.
Child & Spousal Support Issues
Financial control or instability is common in domestic violence situations. We can help you secure interim child or spousal support to ensure financial stability while longer-term arrangements are sorted out.
Modifying or Renewing Existing Orders
Protection orders can be extended, tightened, or updated as circumstances change. If the respondent continues threatening or harmful behaviour, additional conditions or a renewal may be necessary.
By addressing these related family law issues alongside your protection order, we help create a safer and more stable environment as you move forward.
Types of Orders & Related Family Law Issues
Domestic violence often impacts more than physical safety. It can affect where you live, how you communicate with the other party, and your children’s wellbeing. Cote & Evans helps Surrey clients navigate a range of related family law issues that commonly arise alongside a protection order application.
Protection Orders Under the Family Law Act
These orders set out conditions to help keep you and your children safe, including no-contact rules, stay-away conditions, restrictions on communication, and weapon prohibitions. They are enforceable by police throughout British Columbia.
Exclusive Occupancy of the Family Home
If you need to remain in the home without the respondent present, the court may grant an order giving you temporary exclusive occupancy. This can be crucial when children are involved or when relocating isn’t safe or feasible.
Parenting Time & Supervised Access
Safety concerns can influence parenting arrangements. Courts can order:
- Supervised parenting time
- Exchanges in neutral, safe locations
- Temporary restrictions to prevent harm or intimidation
We help ensure your children’s safety is fully considered when determining parenting schedules.
Communication Rules & Boundaries
Even if some communication is still required (for parenting or logistics), boundaries can be set to prevent harassment. Orders may limit communication to:
- Specific methods (e.g., email only)
- Specific topics (e.g., child-related matters only)
- Third-party or app-based platforms designed for high-conflict situations
Our Surrey Family Law Team
Phil Cote
Partner
SHREYA BOSE
ASSOCIATE
ELIZABETH DUKE
ASSOCIATE
JESSICA MORNEAU
ASSOCIATE
PAUL SEKHON
ASSOCIATE
ANGELA BARNA
ASSOCIATE
JESSICA WOZNIAK
ASSOCIATE
BANEET HANS
ASSOCIATE
HEATHER MIDDLEMASS
ASSOCIATE
Why us?
Proven Expertise
Our team has a strong track record of successfully navigating complex legal cases, ensuring the best outcomes for our clients.
Trusted Advocates
Clients rely on our dedication and commitment to provide personalized and effective legal representation.
Client Focused
Your priorities are our priorities; we work tirelessly to protect your interests and achieve your goals.