What is a civil protection order in Quebec?
Short answer
It is a Superior Court order directing a person not to do something, to stop doing it, or to perform a specific act, to protect someone who fears their life, health or safety is threatened — notably in a context of domestic, family or sexual violence, intimidation or harassment (art. 515.1 C.C.P.). It is heard urgently, lasts at most five years, and breaching its conditions is a criminal offence.
In detail
The civil protection order was reworked by the 2024 reform (S.Q. 2024, c. 37). The application is made using the official form or a simple statement summarily presenting the facts, and it is deemed made under oath. Another person or an organization may apply on your behalf, with your consent or the court's authorization (art. 515.1 C.C.P.).
The application is heard and decided urgently. The duration is set by the court, up to a maximum of five years, and the order can be renewed. In urgent cases, the court may grant it without notice to the other party: it is then valid for at most 10 days, and can be extended once the application has been served (arts. 515.2 and 515.3 C.C.P.).
Breaching the conditions of the order is a criminal offence. Not to be confused with a peace bond (s. 810 of the Criminal Code), which is a distinct criminal-law route.
For domestic violence, SOS violence conjugale answers 24/7 (1 800 363-9010) and the Rebâtir service offers 4 hours of free legal consultation (1 833 732-2847). In immediate danger: 911.
What to document
The dated facts, one by one: acts, words (verbatim if possible, in quotation marks), messages, calls, witnesses present — with the date, time and place. That is exactly what the summary statement presents to the court. Keep dated screenshots and documents, and log each incident the same day.
Put your facts in writing, free. Writing your version down early, keeping your documents dated and preparing your questions for a lawyer: the tool is there to document, never to advise.
Open the application Up to 3 files, no card · see the plans
And to put it in order: our free tools — number your exhibits, set your facts in date order, request a copy of your file. No account, and nothing leaves your browser.
Official sources
- Québec.ca — Applying for a protection order in a civil matter
- Code of Civil Procedure, art. 515.1 — LégisQuébec (French)
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What this page is not
This is general legal information about the law of Quebec and Canada, dated and sourced. It is not legal advice, not a strategy, and not a prediction about the outcome of a case. In Quebec, only lawyers and notaries may give legal advice (Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, ss. 128 and 133). Laws and amounts change: the official source always prevails over us.