A restraining order is more than just a legal form—it's a tool to protect you from unwanted contact and harassment. Whether you're applying through family court or civil court using Form 9C, a restraining order in Ontario can set legally binding boundaries that, if broken, may lead to arrest.

Let’s break down what protections you can request and how they are enforced.

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The most common restriction:

• No calling, texting, emailing, or messaging on social media

• No communication through third parties

The respondent may be legally required to:

• Stay a certain distance away from your home, workplace, or school

• Avoid places you frequent (e.g., daycare, gym, family home)

📏 Most orders specify distances like 100 or 500 meters.

Restraining orders can prohibit:

• Following you

• Watching you from a distance

• Showing up uninvited

In some cases, the judge may order the respondent to:

• Surrender any firearms or weapons

• Not apply for or renew a firearms license

The court can include unique clauses, such as:

• Not attending joint children’s events

• Refraining from posting about you on social media

• Not contacting your employer, family, or landlord

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The judge will decide based on:

• Your written request (especially if using Form 9C)

• The evidence of harassment or threats

• What is reasonable to ensure your safety

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Yes. If circumstances change (e.g., you move, or the respondent changes jobs), you can apply to:

• Change the order (Form 15 for family court)

• Extend or renew it before it expires

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Violating a restraining order is serious:

• Police can arrest the respondent immediately

• It becomes a criminal offence

• You may press charges and request stricter conditions

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Protection Type

Description

No Contact

No direct or indirect communication

Distance Limit

Must stay a specific distance away from you or certain locations

Behavior Restrictions

No stalking, harassment, or surveillance

Firearm Restrictions

May be required to surrender weapons

Custom Conditions

Court can include specific restrictions to suit your case

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• Legal Aid Ontario – 1-800-668-8258

• Victim Services – Free support in most cities

• Duty Counsel – Available at family and criminal courthouses

Here are the updated versions of each blog post with direct links to relevant Ontario court forms added in the appropriate sections:

🧾 Legal Form:➡️ Form 9C – Application for Non-Family Court Order (PDF)Ensure you clearly list the conditions you are requesting (e.g., distance limits, no contact, firearm restrictions).

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The most common and fundamental condition is a no-contact clause. This is the core of the order, making it illegal for the other person to communicate with you directly or indirectly.

The specific distance is set by the judge based on your circumstances. Common distances are 100, 200, or 500 metres from protected locations like your home, work, or your child's school.

Yes. You can specifically ask the judge to include a condition that prohibits the other person from posting anything about you, or photos of you, on any social media platform. This is becoming a more common and important term in the digital age.

A restraining order itself is a civil or family court matter, not a criminal conviction. However, breaching a restraining order is a criminal offence. If the person violates the order, they can be arrested and charged, which would then result in a criminal record if they are found guilty.

Absolutely. In family court, you can request that the restraining order's protections, such as the no-contact and stay-away clauses, apply to your children as well, ensuring their safety is legally protected.

Not necessarily. A judge can grant a temporary or a final restraining order. A final order can be for a specific period (e.g., one or three years) or it can be made permanent. The duration will be clearly stated in the order itself.