How do I apply for a peace bond?
If you are in immediate danger, call your local police or 911.
A is a criminal court order made by a justice of the peace or judge. If someone signs a peace bond, it means they promise to follow the conditions in it and not to break the law.
Conditions are rules the person must follow once they sign the peace bond. For example, they might not be allowed to contact you, drink alcohol, or have a gun. Not following the conditions in a peace bond is a crime.
Peace bonds are sometimes called “section 810 peace bonds” or “810 recognizances”.
Who can apply
You go to criminal court to get a peace bond against somebody else.
You can apply for a peace bond against anyone, if you are afraid they might hurt you or your property. It doesn't have to be someone you were in a relationship with. For example, you could apply for a peace bond against a neighbour or co-worker.
This is different from a . A restraining order is a family court order. You can usually ask for a restraining order only if you were to, lived with, or had a child with the other person.
Read the question “What is the difference between a restraining order and a peace bond?” to learn more.
Prove why you need the order
To get a peace bond, you must prove that you have a reasonable fear that the other person will:
- hurt you, someone in your family, or your pets,
- damage your property, or
- share an or video of you without your consent.
If the justice of the peace or judge agrees that there is enough , they will send a to the other person ordering them to come to court for a peace bond .
Peace bonds usually last for up to one year. If you still feel you're in danger after one year, you can apply again for another peace bond. You don't need to wait for the peace bond to end before applying again.
A lawyer can help you apply for a peace bond and talk to you about other options to protect yourself. If you can’t afford a lawyer, there are resources to help you.
Safety plan
Sometimes the court might have enough information to the other person because they are a danger to you or others. But if the person is not , they don't have to keep away from you or your children while you're waiting for the court to make a decision about the peace bond.
It can take weeks or even months to get any type of court order. A lawyer or the Crown may be able to give you a better idea of how long it will take. It's a good idea to make a safety plan for you any children you have in your care.