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Sexual Risk Orders

At Draycott Browne, our experts provide clear and strategic legal defence to individuals facing an application for a Sexual Risk Order (SRO). These are civil court orders that can impose highly intrusive restrictions on your daily life, even where there is no criminal conviction. If granted, they may severely affect your freedom, reputation, employment, and personal relationships.

With decades of experience in defending serious sexual allegations, our team is trusted nationwide for its skill, discretion and unwavering commitment to protecting our clients’ reputations and futures.

A Sexual Risk Order allows the police or the National Crime Agency to ask the court to impose restrictions or obligations on a person they believe poses a risk of sexual harm.

These measures may include limits on travel, internet use or personal contact, and can remain in place for several years or longer. These civil orders can be imposed even without a criminal conviction and can have serious consequences for your freedom, employment and reputation. Early advice can be crucial in protecting your rights and limiting the impact of any restrictions imposed by the court.

With over 25 years of experience in defending serious sexual offence cases, Draycott Browne is recognised as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence firms. The department is led by Shaun Draycott, Director of the firm and a highly respected Sexual Offence Solicitor, who has represented clients in some of the most sensitive and high-profile cases before the courts. Under his leadership, our team combines technical skill, determination and discretion to deliver strategic defence in Sexual Risk Order matters. We act quickly to assess the evidence, protect your rights and challenge any application that is unjustified or excessive.

If you are facing an SRO application, early legal advice is essential. Immediate involvement from our Sexual Risk Order Solicitors can make a crucial difference to the outcome, helping to limit restrictions and safeguard your reputation.

Contact Draycott Browne today for confidential, expert legal representation. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing strategic defence for clients across Manchester, London, Liverpool, Birmingham and throughout England and Wales.

How Our Sexual Risk Order Solicitors Can Help

At Draycott Browne, our solicitors act quickly to provide clear, strategic advice from the moment you are contacted about a Sexual Risk Order. We understand how intrusive these proceedings can be and the impact they can have on your life, family and reputation. Our priority is to protect your position, limit unnecessary restrictions and secure the best possible outcome. Our team can assist with:

  • Immediate legal advice following notification of an application
  • Representation at hearings for both interim and full orders
  • Communicating directly with the police and the National Crime Agency
  • Preparing detailed evidence to challenge risk assessments
  • Negotiating amendments to conditions before or during proceedings
  • Advising on variation, renewal or discharge of existing orders
  • Providing guidance on compliance to prevent breach allegations
  • Protecting your privacy and professional reputation throughout the process

Every case is handled with care, skill and discretion. We analyse the evidence, anticipate the prosecution approach and prepare a defence strategy built around your circumstances. Early legal representation often shapes the direction of the case, giving you the best opportunity to avoid or minimise restrictive orders.

Our Sexual Risk Order Solicitors are available to act immediately. Contact us as soon as possible for clear, confidential advice and decisive representation.

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Expert Lawyers Specialising in Sexual Risk Order Appeals

Our SEXUAL OFFENCES Advice Team

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

What is a Sexual Risk Order?

A Sexual Risk Order (SRO) is a civil order made by the court to manage the behaviour of a person considered to pose a risk of sexual harm to others. Its purpose is preventative, to protect the public, children or vulnerable adults, rather than to punish.

An SRO can be applied for by the police or the National Crime Agency, even if the individual has never been convicted or cautioned for a sexual offence. Applications often follow investigations that end with no further action, but where the authorities continue to hold concerns about alleged behaviour.

Following changes introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, the threshold for granting a Sexual Risk Order has been lowered. Courts previously applied the stricter criminal standard of proof (“beyond reasonable doubt”). They now use the civil standard, meaning it only needs to be “more likely than not” that relevant conduct occurred. This shift has made it significantly easier for authorities to obtain an SRO, even without a criminal charge or conviction.

If the court is satisfied that this threshold is met, it may impose specific conditions designed to reduce the perceived risk, such as restrictions on internet use, contact with certain individuals, or travel abroad.

Although a Sexual Risk Order is a civil measure, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting. These orders may restrict your everyday activity and have wide-reaching implications for your employment, reputation and family life.

Given the seriousness of these proceedings, early legal advice is essential. Our solicitors will assess the evidence, advise you clearly on your options, and prepare a strategic response before any hearing takes place.

What are the Different Types of Sexual Risk Order?

A Sexual Risk Order can take several forms depending on the stage of proceedings and the level of risk alleged by the authorities. Each order has a distinct purpose and can include restrictions or positive obligations intended to prevent sexual harm.

 

Interim Sexual Risk Orders

An Interim Sexual Risk Order (ISRO) is a short-term order made while a full application is still being considered by the court. It allows the authorities to place restrictions on a person’s behaviour immediately if they claim that there is an urgent need to do so.

An interim order may be granted before all evidence is heard and can remain in force for weeks or months until the final hearing. During that period, the person subject to the order must comply with its terms in full. Typical conditions may limit internet use, restrict contact with certain people or prohibit travel to particular areas.

Because these orders can be made quickly and often without full consideration of the evidence, legal representation at this stage is essential. Early challenge can prevent unnecessary or disproportionate conditions from being imposed.

 

Full Sexual Risk Orders

A Full Sexual Risk Order is made after a court has heard evidence from both the applicant (usually the police) and the respondent. The court must be satisfied that the person has acted in a sexual way and that an order is necessary to protect others from the risk of harm.

Full orders are more extensive than interim orders and can remain in force for a minimum of two years, or longer if the court believes it is appropriate. The conditions attached can affect almost every aspect of daily life. Common examples include limits on internet access, monitoring of electronic devices, restrictions on travel abroad, or prohibitions on working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults.

Although these orders are civil in nature, they carry significant consequences. The restrictions can interfere with employment, family relationships and everyday freedoms, so it is vital that the conditions are reviewed and, where possible, challenged before they are finalised.

 

Positive Obligations in Sexual Risk Orders

Since amendments to the law in 2022, courts can now attach positive obligations to Sexual Risk Orders. These go beyond prohibitions and require the individual to take specific steps to manage the alleged risk.

Positive obligations may include attending behavioural or rehabilitation programmes, undergoing therapy, participating in drug or alcohol treatment, taking polygraph tests or wearing an electronic monitoring tag. These measures are intended to demonstrate engagement and reduce risk over time.

However, they can also be intrusive and burdensome. Every proposed obligation must be both necessary and practical. If an obligation is unreasonable or impossible to comply with, it can and should be challenged through proper legal channels.

 

Variation, Renewal and Discharge

Once a Sexual Risk Order is in place, it can be varied, renewed or discharged depending on how circumstances evolve. Either the police or the person subject to the order may apply to the court to make changes.

Variation may be sought to remove or adjust conditions that are no longer relevant or proportionate. Renewal applications usually occur when an existing order is nearing its end and the police claim that ongoing risk still exists. Discharge may be appropriate where there has been no further cause for concern and the order has served its purpose.

Applications of this kind require careful preparation, including evidence of compliance and positive conduct. A well-prepared application can often persuade the court that continued restrictions are unnecessary.

Specialist Sexual Risk Order Lawyers

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Sexual Risk Order Solicitors today.

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Breach of a Sexual Risk Order

Failing to comply with a Sexual Risk Order or an Interim Sexual Risk Order is treated as a criminal offence. A breach can occur when a person does something prohibited by the order, fails to meet a required condition, or neglects a positive obligation set by the court.

Even if the breach was unintentional, the police can investigate and bring criminal proceedings. These cases are heard before the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court depending on the seriousness of the alleged breach. The maximum penalty is five years’ imprisonment, and a conviction can have lasting effects on employment, reputation and personal freedom.

Breaches are often alleged where a person misunderstands the conditions of their order or where the restrictions themselves are unclear. Our sexual offence solicitors analyse the wording of each condition and the evidence relied upon by the police to determine whether a genuine breach has occurred. We will challenge unfair allegations, ensure that your rights are protected and present a strong case in your defence.

If you believe you may have breached your order, or the police have contacted you about a potential breach, it is vital to seek legal advice immediately. Early representation from Draycott Browne can often prevent matters from escalating and help you avoid unnecessary criminal proceedings.

24 Hour Availability

Investigations or applications for Sexual Risk Orders can occur without warning. When that happens, immediate legal advice is essential to protect your position and prevent mistakes that could affect the outcome of your case.

At Draycott Browne, our specialist solicitors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We provide fast, clear guidance and can arrange representation at short notice anywhere in England and Wales.

Legal Aid

We understand that the cost of defending proceedings involving a Sexual Risk Order can be a major concern. In some cases, you may be eligible for Legal Aid to help cover the cost of representation. Our experienced Legal Aid Solicitors will assess your eligibility, explain the process clearly and assist you in submitting an application for funding.

At Draycott Browne, we believe that financial circumstances should never prevent access to expert legal representation. Whether your case is publicly funded or privately instructed, our team provides the same high standard of skill, care and commitment in defending your rights and protecting your future.

Private Funding

At Draycott Browne, we continue to support clients who qualify for Legal Aid, but it is important to understand that publicly funded cases can limit the level of service we are able to provide.

Choosing to privately fund your defence ensures you receive the highest standard of representation from our specialist team. Private funding allows us to dedicate additional time and resources to your case, carrying out more extensive preparation and strategic analysis.

Through this approach, our Private Criminal Defence Solicitors provide an exceptional level of service, ensuring that every detail is examined and every opportunity explored to strengthen your defence.

If you are facing proceedings involving a Sexual Risk Order, we recommend considering a privately funded route. This enables you to access the full expertise of our team and gives you the best possible chance of achieving a positive outcome.

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Contact our Sexual Risk Order Solicitors

If you are facing an application for a Sexual Risk Order, or believe the police may be preparing one, it is essential to seek immediate legal advice from experienced professionals.

At Draycott Browne, our team of specialist criminal solicitors provides expert representation in all matters involving sexual allegations and risk management orders. As one of the leading Criminal Defence Law Firms in the UK, we have a long-standing reputation for defending clients in the most sensitive and high-stakes cases.

Led by senior Sexual Offence Solicitors, we deliver strategic, discreet and determined legal defence for clients across Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, London and throughout England and Wales. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to protect your rights and your reputation.

For confidential advice, call Draycott Browne today or complete our online enquiry form. Your future deserves the strongest defence.

Frequently Asked Questions for Sexual Risk Orders

If you have received notice of a Sexual Risk Order application, seek legal advice as soon as possible because the court may impose an interim order before the full hearing. A solicitor can challenge the application, scrutinise the proposed conditions and argue against restrictions that are unnecessary or disproportionate.

A Sexual Risk Order can impose restrictions on internet and device use, contact with certain people, travel, work, volunteering or living arrangements. It can also include positive requirements such as attending treatment programmes, taking polygraph tests or complying with electronic monitoring, depending on what the court considers necessary and proportionate.

A Sexual Risk Order must last for at least two years and can be imposed indefinitely if the court considers this necessary, although foreign travel restrictions are limited to five years at a time. Either the police or the person subject to the order can apply to vary or discharge it if circumstances change.

Breaching a Sexual Risk Order or Interim Sexual Risk Order without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. The case can be dealt with in either the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, and the maximum penalty is five years’ imprisonment.

If you are accused of breaching your order, it is vital to seek legal advice immediately. 

A Sexual Risk Order is a civil order rather than a criminal conviction, so it does not appear on a basic or standard DBS check. It may, however, be disclosed on an enhanced DBS check if the police consider it relevant to the role, and details can also be retained on police systems for monitoring purposes.

Yes. You can apply to the court to vary or discharge a Sexual Risk Order if circumstances have changed or the restrictions are no longer necessary or proportionate. The court will consider the evidence, including compliance with the order and whether the level of risk has reduced.

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