If the respondent objects to the making of an order, then they will need to file a sworn statement in reply to the applicant’s allegations and attend the full hearing to oppose the application. However, they would be advised to consider whether or not it is worth opposing the application. The considerations differ, depending upon which type of order the applicant is seeking:
A non-molestation order: Such an order is, of course, only ordering you to refrain from doing what you should not do anyway, i.e. molest the applicant. In this light, the only thing you have to lose if the order is made is any costs that the court may order you to pay. You may, therefore, consider offering an undertaking to the court not to molest the applicant (see below) on the basis that the court makes no order for costs against you.
An occupation order: Here, you need to take the long view. If the marriage has broken down, then you and your spouse will obviously have to separate at some point. That being the case, the question is: who should remain in the matrimonial home? If there are children, and it is clear that they should live primarily with the applicant, then it may be the case that that you will have to vacate the property at some time in the near future, in which case it would be pointless opposing the application. On the other
hand, if there are no children, then it may be that the property will have to be sold soon, in which case there may be little practical point in opposing the application. Of course, all this presupposes that the applicant is seeking an order that you leave the property. If they are only seeking an order that you allow them back into the property, such an order is likely to be made anyway, unless they have (voluntarily) been away from the property for some considerable time.