What is an ex parte application in family law?

An ex parte application is an urgent request made to the court to protect a person’s safety or interests. The application is made without notifying the other party, and is used when there is a genuine urgency that requires immediate court intervention.

The most common reasons for applying ex parte include:

To prevent a child from being removed from the country, or to seek a child’s return when unlawfully taken.

To prevent abuse and violence by the granting of protective or restraining orders.

To prevent and/or preserve the disposal of property or assets in financial disputes.