#Women s Aid - The Survivor s Handbook - Your legal rights
Domestic violence is dealt with both under the criminal law and the civil law. The two systems are separate and are administered by separate courts:
- The civil law is primarily aimed at protection (or in some cases compensation). A survivor of domestic violence can make an application for an injunction (a court order) either to the Family Proceedings Court or the County Court (usually through her solicitor). Other family proceedings (such as child contact or divorce) also take place in the County Court.
- The criminal law is primarily aimed at punishing the offender. The police together with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initiate the process. Criminal cases are heard in either the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court depending on the severity of the charge.
Further information
You can contact their free Legal Advice Lines for women by women. Their advice lines cover Family Law, Criminal Law, Immigration and Asylum Law and they have a specific line for women in London.