New court procedures for Respect Orders took effect on October 26, bringing into use a civil-order regime aimed at persistent anti-social behaviour by adults in England and Wales.
The Civil Procedure Rule Committee amended Part 65 and its accompanying practice direction to provide the route for applications under the Crime and Policing Act 2026. The changes identify the courts that may hear applications, the material that must accompany them and the procedure for dealing with related orders. Two prescribed forms are also being introduced for the new process.
A Respect Order can impose prohibitions or positive requirements where the statutory test is met. The regime replaces adult anti-social behaviour injunctions in most cases, while youth and housing injunctions remain distinct. Although an order is obtained through civil proceedings, breach is a criminal offence and may lead to a fine, community sentence or imprisonment.
The procedural change matters because it turns the statutory power into an operational court remedy. Police, local authorities and other authorised applicants must now use the revised Part 65 framework rather than adapt the older injunction procedure.
The government has also brought updated statutory guidance into force. It addresses the evidence and consultation expected before an application, the selection of proportionate conditions and the need to account for the respondent’s circumstances. The guidance does not itself lower the legal threshold or predetermine an application; the court must assess each case on its evidence.
Official Civil Procedure Rules update
