Coercive Control Solicitors in Scotland
Coercive control can be difficult to recognise and even harder to escape. Our team provides a safe, non-judgemental space for you to discuss your situation and explore your legal options.
- Specialist solicitors applying for Non-Harassment Orders under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
- Expert guidance on the evidence required and the court process for obtaining an order in Scotland
- Contact our team today; we will act promptly to help protect your safety
Abuse can be a pattern of control even where there has been no physical assault.
Coercive control can involve isolation, monitoring, humiliation, threats, financial restriction, manipulation of children, control of daily life or behaviour designed to make a partner dependent and afraid. The pattern and cumulative effect matter, not only individual incidents viewed in isolation.
The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 creates a criminal offence of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards a partner or ex-partner. Police Scotland investigates criminal allegations. We advise on the civil family law steps that can protect you and support a safe separation.
A team with extensive experience across the full range of family law.
Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, with telephone and video appointments available throughout Scotland.
Focused advice from a family solicitor, followed by a written assessment and a tailored fee estimate.
A dedicated family law team handling everything from straightforward separation to complex financial and child law disputes.
How Do We Support Victims of Coercive Control?
At Kee Solicitors, we understand that coercive control can be difficult to recognise and even harder to escape. Our team provides a safe, non-judgemental space for you to discuss your situation and explore your legal options, whether that involves seeking protective orders, separating from a partner, or both.
Protective orders, financial control and child arrangements after coercive abuse.
Depending on the conduct and risk, civil remedies can include interdict, a power of arrest, non-harassment order or exclusion order. We can seek urgent interim protection and explain what evidence will assist, including messages, financial records, witness accounts, police references and a safe chronology of events.
Coercive control often continues through money or children after separation. We advise on access to funds, aliment, the family home, financial disclosure and safe arrangements for communication, handovers, residence and contact. The court must consider the child’s welfare and the effect of abuse when deciding child orders.
A person experiencing control may not be able to negotiate safely through mediation or collaborative practice. We assess process as well as outcome and can communicate through solicitors or seek court orders without requiring direct negotiation.
If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Tell us how it is safe to contact you and whether messages, voicemail or post could place you at risk.
Where urgent action may be required, contact us as soon as possible. Our one-hour fixed-fee initial consultation costs £250 + VAT and includes focused advice, a written assessment of your position and a tailored estimate for any further work.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Coercive Control and the Law in Scotland
Common questions about coercive control and your legal options in Scotland.
Is coercive control a criminal offence in Scotland?
A course of abusive behaviour towards a partner or ex-partner can be an offence under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. Police and prosecutors decide criminal action; civil family law protection can be pursued separately.
What evidence can show coercive control?
Messages, call records, financial restrictions, monitoring, witness accounts, police incidents, medical evidence and a contemporaneous chronology can help show the pattern and impact. Preserve evidence only where it is safe to do so.
Can I obtain protection without physical violence?
Yes. Interdicts, non-harassment orders and exclusion orders can respond to threats, harassment, psychological abuse and controlling behaviour where their legal tests are met.
How does coercive control affect child contact?
The court must assess the child’s welfare, including the direct and indirect effect of domestic abuse. Contact can be structured, supported, supervised, restricted or refused depending on the evidence and risk.
How can I leave safely?
Safety planning should be individual. Contact Police Scotland in an emergency and consider specialist domestic abuse support. We can advise on urgent court protection, the home, money, children and safe communication before or after separation.
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