Non-harassment order (NHO)

A non-harassment order is a court order banning a convicted person from specified conduct towards the victim, such as contact.

A criminal court can make a non-harassment order (NHO) under section 234A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 when someone is convicted of an offence involving misconduct towards another person. The order requires the offender not to behave in specified ways towards the victim, for example not to approach or contact them. It can last for a set period or indefinitely, and can be made as well as, or instead of, any other sentence. In domestic abuse cases, and since 1 September 2026 also in stalking and certain sexual offence cases, the court must consider making an NHO without the prosecutor asking, and must explain if it decides one is not needed. Breaching an NHO is a criminal offence that can lead to imprisonment.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.