About Civilcivil Restraintrestraint Orders (CRO)orders

A CROcivil restraint order (CRO) is a court order issued by a judge.

They’re usually given when a person’s application for a court hearing is refused but they won’tdo not accept the judge’s decision.

A CRO then stops that person from re-applyingreapplying to court.

DifferentTypes types of CROcivil restraint orders

The judge will decide which is the most suitable type of order to issue.

Limited CRO (LCRO)

If a person is issued with ana LCRO,limited CRO, it means they havemust to get the judge’s permission before making any application to the court covered by the order.

Extended CRO (ECRO)

If the person continues to go back to the court, a judge can issue an ECRO.extended CRO.

This order is limited to a specified group of courts. ECROsExtended CROs last 3 years,years but can be renewed for a further 3 years.

General CRO (GCRO)

In the most extreme cases, the judge will grant a GCRO.general CRO.

This order applies to all the county courts and the High Court. GCROsGeneral CROs last 3 years,years but can be renewed for a further 3 years.

If this order is ignored, the person will be in contempt of court and may receive a prison sentence.

Help with fees

AIf personyou whocurrently hashave a CRO against themyou, cannotyou can usually apply for help with fees.

IfHowever, theyyou needcannot apply for help with fees if you’re making an application to applyask for permission to makeeither:

• start a new court case or take further action in an existing case (such as making an application or filing documents) when your CRO requires a judge’s permission

• apply to amend or discharge the court,CRO

• appeal theythe CRO

For these types of applications, you must pay the full court fee.fee Ifwhen successful,you theyapply.

If canthe thencourt applygrants permission for aone refundof bythese completingapplications, andyou submittingcan formapply EX160for toa refund of the courtfee. withinTo 3apply monthsfor ofa therefund, decision.you’ll need to:

Evidence

• complete mustform beEX160
• apply providedwithin for3 anymonths application,of asthe wellcourt’s asdecision
• include a sealed copy of the court order granting permission

The torefund issuemay proceedings.be full or partial, depending on how much you’re entitled to.

Lists of people with CROs

General civil restraint orders currently in force

Extended civil restraint orders currently in force