Emergency remedies

The Penningtons Manches Cooper family department has vast experience of emergency applications to the court to protect vulnerable family members, preserve assets at risk of dissipation, secure vital information, and prevent publicity.

Emergency remedies call for the utmost discretion as well as careful judgement of circumstances in which the court’s emergency powers can be invoked in cases where personal safety is threatened or it appears that private or confidential information or assets are at risk.

We have considerable experience acting for individuals and families suffering domestic violence and recognise the harmful impact of controlling and coercive behaviour on its victims. First priority is given to the protection of vulnerable adults and children. This may involve obtaining non-molestation orders as well as securing the safety of victims in their homes through occupation orders. We understand the damaging effects of abusive relationships and work closely with counsellors and other professionals who provide therapeutic services to clients and their families. We also direct clients to explore the potential criminal remedies available to protect them from further abuse where appropriate.

Our team, which is based in London, Oxford, Reading and Guildford, also regularly secures protection for vital information and assets at risk of dissipation, wherever they are in the world. In cases of emergency, applications for freezing injunctions can be made to court without notice to the other party if it is feared that their prior knowledge may prompt them to dissipate the assets in question.

Family law cases invariably involve sensitive personal issues and financial information. Publicity is therefore understandably a serious concern for those at risk of media and social media exposure. Our team regularly acts for high net worth individuals, business people and high profile individuals for whom discretion and privacy are all-important considerations.

Since 2009 accredited members of the media have had the right to attend most family court hearings. Members of our team have acted in a number of the leading cases involving the interaction of privacy and family law, including the landmark case of Clibbery v Allan. We have developed unrivalled expertise in the handling of media issues, which can involve taking robust action to prevent threats to privacy or reputational damage. We also have considerable experience in keeping cases out of court by utilising alternative dispute resolution procedures.

We have acted for those whose privacy is at risk from unauthorised hacking, copying or other means of obtaining information in breach of the stringent protection afforded by the law.

We offer an online system that can help our clients to understand their legal position, prepare for their first meeting, and provide us with the information required to maximise the value we can deliver. We invite you to get started online.