The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 8 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025
These regulations implement a pilot program for Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 in specified areas of England and Wales.
This part establishes domestic abuse protection notices and orders.
The pilot runs from March 11th to November 26th, 2025, in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees.
Provisions are made to ensure ongoing legal effect for cases initiated before the pilot's end, and the program is assessed with an impact assessment not considered necessary at this staged rollout.
Arguments For
Intended benefits: The pilot program allows for a limited implementation and evaluation of the new domestic abuse protection notices and orders (DAPNs and DAPOs) before nationwide rollout, allowing for adjustments based on real-world feedback and data.
Evidence cited: Previous impact assessments related to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 informed the decision to conduct a pilot program to minimize potential negative consequences of a full-scale nationwide implementation.
Implementation methods: A phased approach, starting with a limited geographical area, helps to manage the resources required for the implementation and provides a controlled environment for evaluating effectiveness.
Legal/historical basis: These regulations are made under the powers conferred by sections 86(1) and 90(6), (7), and (8) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, providing legal authority for the program and its timeframe.
Arguments Against
Potential impacts: The limited geographical scope of the pilot might not provide a representative sample of the diverse situations of domestic abuse across England and Wales, potentially leading to flawed conclusions.
Implementation challenges: Resources may be stretched in the pilot areas during implementation, potentially affecting the quality of service delivery and data collection.
Alternative approaches: A different approach, such as a larger-scale implementation with more varied locations and demographics, might provide a better representation, yielding more conclusive data for the subsequent assessment.
Unintended effects: The concentration of the pilot program in certain areas could create an unequal distribution of resources or lead to unintended consequences, such as overwhelming local services in those particular regions.
- Citation, interpretation and extent (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 8 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025. (2) In these Regulations— (a) a reference to a section, Part or Schedule by number alone means the section, Part or Schedule so numbered in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021; (b) a reference to a DAPO includes— (i) an application for a DAPO or the making of a DAPO, and (ii) an application for variation or discharge of a DAPO or the variation or discharge of a DAPO; (c) “DAPN” means a domestic abuse protection notice within the meaning of section 22; (d) “DAPO” means a domestic abuse protection order within the meaning of section 27; (e) “P” means— (i) the person to whom a DAPN is to be given or has been given, or (ii) the person against whom a DAPO is sought or has been made; (f) “specified period” means the period beginning with 11th March 2025 and ending with 26th November 2025. (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales only.
This section details the title, definitions, and geographical scope of the regulations.
It defines key terms like 'DAPN' (domestic abuse protection notice) and 'DAPO' (domestic abuse protection order), referencing their definitions within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
The 'specified period' clarifies the duration of a pilot program covering March 11th to November 26th, 2025.
These regulations apply solely to England and Wales.
- Commencement of Part 3 In so far as it is not already in force, Part 3 (powers for dealing with domestic abuse), except section 55 (repeal of provisions about domestic violence protection notices and orders), comes into force on 11th March 2025 for the specified period in relation to the areas specified in regulation 3.
This section outlines the commencement date for Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 – March 11th, 2025.
This part empowers authorities to address domestic abuse, excluding section 55 which repeals prior domestic violence protection orders and notices.
This implementation is limited to a designated period and specific areas, as detailed in regulation 3.
- Commencement of Part 3 in relation to specified areas Part 3, including Schedule 1, comes into force only in the non-metropolitan districts of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
This regulation specifies the geographical area where Part 3 of the Act (and Schedule 1) will be implemented: the non-metropolitan districts of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees.
- Savings (1) Where immediately before the end of the specified period— (a) a DAPN has been given to P, (b) an application for leave to apply for a DAPO has been made, (c) an application for a DAPO has been made, (d) proceedings, as specified in section 31, have been issued, or (e) the court has made a DAPO, the provisions of Part 3 will continue to have effect in the areas specified in regulation 3 for the purposes set out in the second column of the table in paragraph (2). (2) The table referred to in paragraph (1) is—
| Stage in Proceedings | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DAPN given to P | Application for DAPO may be made |
| Application for leave made | Court may grant leave and application for DAPO may be made |
| Application for DAPO made | DAPO may be made by the court |
| Proceedings specified under section 31 issued | DAPO may be made by the court on application or of its own initiative |
| DAPO made by the court | DAPO may be varied or discharged by the court, enforced on breach or appealed |
This section addresses 'saving provisions' – what happens after the pilot program's end.
If any DAPN has been issued, application made or legal proceedings initiated before the specified period concludes (November 26th, 2025), Part 3 will remain enforceable for specific purposes, as listed in the table.
This ensures ongoing legal processes are not disrupted.