Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
In Aberdeen, cases of domestic violence are dealt with under Scots law. Domestic abuse is taken seriously by Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the civil courts at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The law recognises that abuse is not only physical. It also covers psychological harm, coercive control, isolation, financial abuse, intimidation, and threats. The Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018 created a specific criminal offence of a course of behaviour that is abusive of a partner or ex-partner, making it easier to prosecute patterns of controlling behaviour that cause harm.
Support and protection can come through emergency police action, criminal courts, and civil court orders. Survivors in Aberdeen can access protective court orders, specialist support services, and legal aid to help keep themselves and their children safe. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not an emergency, call Police Scotland on 101.
You may need a solicitor if you are seeking urgent protection. A lawyer can apply to the sheriff court for a non-harassment order or an interdict with a power of arrest, often on an emergency interim basis. Where you share a home with the abuser, a solicitor can seek an exclusion order to have the abuser removed from the family home and kept away.
If there are children, you may need help with safe child contact arrangements. The court must prioritise the safety of you and your children. A solicitor can ask the court to suspend or vary contact, add protective conditions, and ensure your views and your child’s views are heard.
You may need representation if the abuser has been arrested and there will be a criminal case. As a complainer, you can get advice about special measures to give evidence, your rights to information, and support throughout the process. If you are accused and deny the allegations, you also need specialist criminal defence advice immediately.
When separating or divorcing after abuse, a solicitor can address housing, finances, and arrangements for children, while reducing direct contact with the other party. Where immigration issues arise, specialist advice is essential because UK immigration rules are complex and different from Scots family law.
Legal aid is often available for domestic abuse related cases in Scotland, subject to financial eligibility and merits tests. A local solicitor can assess this quickly.
Criminal law - The Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018 makes it a criminal offence to engage in a course of behaviour that is abusive of a partner or ex-partner. The offence covers physical violence and non-physical behaviour such as coercive control, isolating a partner from friends and family, monitoring movements or communications, degrading treatment, threats, and controlling finances. Other relevant offences include assault, threatening or abusive behaviour, stalking, sexual offences, and breach of the peace. If someone is arrested, the police and courts can impose no-contact and exclusion conditions through undertakings and bail.
Police powers and reporting - Police Scotland respond urgently to domestic incidents in Aberdeen. Officers can arrest where there is reasonable suspicion of an offence and can seek special bail conditions to protect you. You can also request disclosure of a partner’s history of abuse under the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland, sometimes called Clare’s Law.
Civil protection orders - A non-harassment order can prohibit a person from harassing or contacting you. Breach is a criminal offence. An interdict can forbid harassment or entering your home or workplace, and it can be granted with a power of arrest under the Protection from Abuse Scotland Act 2001 so police can arrest on breach. An exclusion order under the Matrimonial Homes Family Protection Scotland Act 1981 can remove an abusive spouse or partner from the family home. Many of these orders can be granted on an urgent interim basis by the sheriff court.
Children and family - Under the Children Scotland Act 1995, as amended, the court must treat the welfare of the child as the paramount consideration and must consider the risk of abuse before making any order. The court is required to consider the safety of the child and of the non-abusive parent. Protective conditions can be attached to contact orders, and unsafe contact can be refused.
Victims and witnesses - The Victims and Witnesses Scotland Act 2014 provides for special measures to help you give evidence, such as screens, a live TV link, a supporter in court, or giving pre-recorded evidence. Applications are normally made through the prosecutor in criminal cases or through your solicitor in civil cases.
Housing and homelessness - In Scotland, if you flee your home because of domestic abuse, Aberdeen City Council can provide homelessness assistance and temporary accommodation. Leaving due to abuse should not be treated as intentional homelessness. Scotland abolished priority need, so all unintentionally homeless households are entitled to settled accommodation. A solicitor or advice agency can help you present your case and protect your tenancy rights.
Adult and child protection - Agencies in Aberdeen use multi-agency risk assessment conferences, known as MARAC, for high-risk cases. The Adult Support and Protection Scotland Act 2007 and child protection procedures allow social work, health, and police to work together to safeguard adults at risk and children.
Domestic abuse includes any pattern of behaviour by a partner or ex-partner that is violent, threatening, or controlling. It covers physical assaults, sexual abuse, threats, humiliation, stalking, monitoring, isolating you from support, and financial control. The Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018 recognises coercive and controlling behaviour as a criminal offence when it forms a course of behaviour that causes harm.
Call 999. If speaking puts you at risk, press 55 when prompted on a mobile to use the Silent Solution system so police can locate you. Get to a safe place if you can, and take essential items like medication and ID. When safe, keep any evidence such as photographs of injuries, damaged property, threatening messages, and names of witnesses.
Yes. Police Scotland can arrest if they reasonably suspect an offence. The accused may be kept in custody for court or released on an undertaking with no-contact conditions. If prosecuted, the court can impose bail conditions, such as not approaching you or your home. Breach of these conditions is a criminal offence and you should report any breach immediately.
You can seek a non-harassment order, an interdict with a power of arrest, or an exclusion order. Your solicitor can apply to Aberdeen Sheriff Court for an interim order on an urgent basis, sometimes the same day, if there is a risk of harm. The court will then fix a further hearing so the other party can respond. Breach of a non-harassment order is a criminal offence. Breach of an interdict with a power of arrest allows police to arrest without a warrant.
It allows you to ask Police Scotland whether a current or former partner has a history of violence or abuse. Police can also decide to disclose information to you if they believe you are at risk. You can make an application directly to the police in Aberdeen or by phoning 101. If disclosure is made, you will receive safety advice and support.
Yes. Many domestic abuse cases involve psychological harm and controlling behaviour rather than visible injuries. Evidence can include your account, messages, emails, call logs, location data, witness statements, and professional records such as GP notes. The 2018 Act is designed to capture this type of harm.
The court must put the child’s welfare and safety first. If there is a risk of harm, the court can suspend contact, order supervised or supported contact, add strict conditions, or refuse contact. The court must consider the impact of the abuse on the child and on the non-abusive parent, and must take the child’s views into account, in an age-appropriate way.
Depending on your rights to occupy, your solicitor can ask the court for an exclusion order to remove the abuser from the home, or for an interdict preventing them from attending at the property. If you need to leave, you can seek homelessness help from Aberdeen City Council. Leaving because of abuse should not count against you as intentional homelessness.
Special measures are available to reduce trauma, such as giving evidence by live TV link, using a screen, having a supporter, or pre-recording your evidence. Speak to the prosecutor or your solicitor as early as possible so applications can be made. In civil cases, your lawyer can also ask the sheriff for arrangements that prevent you from having to meet the other party directly.
Many people experiencing domestic abuse qualify for civil legal aid or advice and assistance in Scotland. Eligibility depends on your income and the merits of your case. In urgent situations, a solicitor can often start work immediately and sort the legal aid paperwork afterward. Ask a local family or domestic abuse specialist to assess this for you.
Emergency services - Police, Fire, Ambulance: 999.
Police Scotland non-emergency: 101.
Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234, available 24-7 with translation support.
Victim Support Scotland: national support for people affected by crime, including help with courts and safety planning.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court: local court for civil protective orders and most criminal cases arising in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen City Council Housing Options and Homelessness: help with emergency accommodation and rehousing if you need to flee abuse.
Aberdeen area Women’s Aid and local domestic abuse advocacy services: specialist safety planning, refuge, outreach, and court support for women and children.
Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 for sexual violence support, including within abusive relationships.
Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 for male victims of domestic abuse.
Galop National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428 for LGBT+ survivors.
Prioritise safety. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. When safe, consider a safety plan such as arranging a code word with a trusted person, identifying a place you can go, and keeping essential documents and medication accessible.
Record what is happening. Keep a diary of incidents, save messages, and take photographs of injuries or damage. Note dates, times, and any witnesses. This can help both police and the court.
Get legal advice early. Contact a solicitor in Aberdeen who specialises in domestic abuse and family law. Ask about urgent interim orders and legal aid. If you cannot afford a solicitor, explain your situation because advice and assistance funding may be available quickly.
Consider civil protection. Discuss with your solicitor whether to apply for a non-harassment order, an interdict with a power of arrest, or an exclusion order. Many orders can be requested on the same day on an interim basis.
Engage with support services. Reach out to local advocacy services such as Women’s Aid or Victim Support Scotland for safety planning, refuge or housing advice, and court support. If children are involved, ask about services that support them directly.
Report to the police if a crime has occurred. Provide as much detail and evidence as you can. Ask about special measures if you will be a witness, and request updates about the case from the Procurator Fiscal’s office.
Address housing and finances. Speak to Aberdeen City Council about homelessness assistance if you need to leave home. Ask your solicitor about options to protect your tenancy, mortgage, and finances, and about maintenance or financial provision on separation or divorce.
Review your digital safety. Change passwords, adjust privacy settings, disable location sharing, and consider a different email or phone number for legal and support contacts. Your support service can help with a safety tech check.
Look after your wellbeing. Domestic abuse is traumatic. Consider support from your GP and specialist counselling services. If you feel overwhelmed, tell your solicitor or advocate so they can pace legal steps and put support in place.
If you are unsure where to start, call the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234 for 24-7 confidential advice and signposting to Aberdeen services.
