What can a BC protection order do?
Under section 183 of the Family Law Act, the court may make a protection order where family violence is likely to occur and the other family member is an at-risk family member. Terms can restrict contact or communication, attendance at specified places, following the protected person, possession of weapons or firearms, and other conduct authorized by the Act.
Form F54 is the protection order itself
In Supreme Court, the entered protection order is in Form F54. Form F54.1 is the prescribed termination order under section 187. If the court changes a term or condition of an existing protection order—including extending its term—Rule 15-1(2.3) requires the court to terminate the existing order and make a new protection order in Form F54. These are order forms—not a substitute for the evidence supporting the application.
Can the application be made without notice?
Yes. Section 186 of the Family Law Act expressly permits a protection-order application to be made without notice. If an order is made without notice, the person against whom it was made can apply to set it aside or seek a change/termination under section 187.
What does the court consider?
Section 184 requires the court to consider risk factors such as the history and escalation of family violence, coercive and controlling behaviour, recent separation, circumstances that may increase risk, the at-risk family member’s perception of safety and other statutory considerations. Where a child is a family member, section 185 adds child-specific considerations.
What happens after a Supreme Court protection order is made?
The Supreme Court Family Rules require the registrar to provide the order to the Protection Order Registry and address service on the person against whom the order was made. If that person is absent, the registry generally arranges personal service within British Columbia; if the registry cannot arrange service or the person evades service, the applicant may become responsible for service after being notified.
Changing or terminating the order
Section 187 permits an application to shorten, extend, otherwise change or terminate a protection order before it expires. A fresh later application under section 183 is not barred merely because an earlier order expired.
Cost and access to help
Protection-order applications are high stakes and often time-sensitive. Legal Aid BC, family justice services, victim services and lawyers may be able to help depending on the circumstances. Cost should not be treated as a reason to delay emergency safety measures.