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GBV support / Magistrates' Court process
Restraining Orders in Botswana
The public application process for a restraining order, with urgent support kept close at hand.
Scope of this page
Government guidance says a member of the public may apply to a local Magistrates' Court for a restraining order. In an emergency, contact Botswana Police on 999 before relying on information from a website.
Filing the application
- The application is filed with the Clerk of the applicant's local Magistrates' Court.
- After filing, the matter receives a case number and is assigned to a magistrate, who allocates a hearing date.
- The applicant is notified through the contact information supplied in the application.
Documents listed by government
- A founding affidavit must describe the circumstances and reasons for requesting the order and must be commissioned at a police station.
- The applicant also submits a completed Notice of Motion, identified by the government page as Form 4.
- A written Certificate of Urgency may be attached where the matter is particularly time-sensitive.
Service and collection
- The government page says the applicant is responsible for serving, or paying for service of, the restraining order on the other party.
- In domestic-violence matters, police officers may be asked to serve the order.
- An approved order is collected from the Civil Registry at the Magistrates' Court where the application was filed.
Verify the current process
Official source
Restraining Orders - Magistrate's Court
Published by Government of Botswana. This source was checked on 2026-08-03.
This page provides general information drawn from the official source linked above. It is not advice about a particular matter. Court and government requirements can change; confirm the current process with the relevant office before acting.
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