Abuse and Violence

FAQ

What is the difference between a “peace bond” and a “restraining order”?

A peace bond is a protection order under the Criminal Code and is formally called an “810 recognizance”.  You can get a peace bond if you are afraid that a person will harm you and your family or damage your property.  A peace bond can be a court order or the person can make an agreement with the court to “keep the peace and be of good behaviour”.  It may also contain other conditions specific to your situation.    It is a crime to break any conditions of the peace bond.

A restraining order is a protection order under the New Brunswick Family Services Act.  There must be a family connection to get a restraining order; however, you do not have to be afraid of the person.   You can get a restraining order to keep the person from annoying you, for example, by calling you repeatedly. 

Disclaimer: Please note that our website contains general information about the law. This is not a complete statement of the law on particular topics. We try to update our publications often, but laws change frequently so it is important for you to check to make sure the information is up to date.  The information in our publications is not a substitute for legal advice. To receive legal advice about your specific situation, you need to speak to a lawyer.