What is a harassment cease and desist letter?

A harassment cease and desist letter is a formal notice sent to an alleged harasser. It warns them that their behaviour may constitute harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The letter serves as a final warning before the victim considers escalating the matter to the police or initiating civil proceedings. It is a civil litigation tool used to document the conduct and put the recipient on clear notice.

What are the key rules for writing a harassment cease and desist letter?

The letter should be calm, factual, and dated. It is important to avoid sending it in a state of anger. You must not threaten criminal prosecution, as only the police or Crown Prosecution Service can bring criminal charges. Additionally, you should maintain a contemporaneous incident log to support your claims. The letter should clearly detail the specific conduct and the actions the recipient must stop.

What happens if the recipient ignores the cease and desist letter?

The letter typically requests written confirmation of compliance within 14 days. It warns that non-compliance may lead to reporting the conduct to the police, issuing civil proceedings for an injunction and damages, or applying for a non-molestation order if the relationship qualifies. The letter also notes that the recipient's conduct and the letter itself may be used as evidence that they knew or ought to have known their actions amounted to harassment.

What should I do if I am in immediate danger or experiencing domestic abuse?

If you are in immediate physical danger, you should call 999. If the harassment involves domestic abuse, you can apply for a non-molestation order. This is a free process with no court fee and can often be granted on the same day. This is distinct from a cease and desist letter, which is a formal warning before considering police reports or civil court action.

Which laws are typically referenced in a harassment cease and desist letter?

The letter may reference the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which provides for both criminal sanctions and civil remedies. It may also mention the Malicious Communications Act 1988 for electronic harassment, or stalking provisions within the 1997 Act. The letter serves to put the recipient on notice that their conduct may violate these specific legal statutes.

← All Templates

Civil

Civil Litigation

Updated 2026-05-21

Harassment Cease and Desist

Letter putting an alleged harasser on notice that their conduct may amount to harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Someone has engaged in a course of conduct that amounts (or may amount) to harassment, and you want to formally warn them before escalating to police or civil proceedings.

When NOT to use this template

If you are in immediate physical danger — call 999. For domestic abuse — apply for a non-molestation order (free, no court fee, often same-day).

Legal Basis

Protection from Harassment Act 1997 ss.1, 3, 7; Malicious Communications Act 1988 (where electronic).

Before you send

Sending in heat — let the letter be calm, factual, and dated
Threatening criminal prosecution you have no power to bring — the police/CPS prosecute, not you
Failing to keep a contemporaneous incident log

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Sending in heat — let the letter be calm, factual, and dated
✗Threatening criminal prosecution you have no power to bring — the police/CPS prosecute, not you
✗Failing to keep a contemporaneous incident log

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Date*

Recipient's name*

Recipient's address*

Complainant's name (you or your client)*

Specific conduct with dates*

What the recipient must stop doing*

Your name / your firm*

Letter preview

WITHOUT PREJUDICE SAVE AS TO COSTS

[Your Name]
[Your Address — solicitor's address preferable]

[RECIPIENT'S NAME]
[RECIPIENT'S ADDRESS]

Date: [DATE]

Dear [RECIPIENT'S NAME],

Unwanted conduct directed at [COMPLAINANT'S NAME (YOU OR YOUR CLIENT)]

I write on behalf of [COMPLAINANT'S NAME (YOU OR YOUR CLIENT)] ("our client") in relation to your conduct toward them. The matters below amount (or may amount) to a course of conduct under section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

1. The conduct

[SPECIFIC CONDUCT WITH DATES]

2. The legal position

Under section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, a person must not pursue a course of conduct which amounts to harassment of another and which they know or ought to know amounts to harassment. The Act provides both criminal sanctions (section 2: up to 6 months' imprisonment) and civil remedies (section 3: damages and injunctive relief).

Alternatively or additionally, your conduct may amount to:

- Malicious communications under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988
- Stalking under sections 2A or 4A of the 1997 Act
- Threats or assault under separate criminal provisions

3. Action required

You must cease immediately, and refrain from, all of the following:

[WHAT THE RECIPIENT MUST STOP DOING]

You must not initiate any contact with our client, directly or indirectly, via any medium (including social media, third parties, or through their family), save through us.

4. Consequences of non-compliance

If you do not comply with this notice, our client will consider:

(a) Reporting your conduct to the police;
(b) Issuing civil proceedings under section 3 of the 1997 Act for an injunction and damages;
(c) Where appropriate, applying for a non-molestation order under the Family Law Act 1996 if the relationship qualifies.

This letter and your conduct since may be relied upon as evidence of knowledge — a person is treated as knowing the conduct amounts to harassment if a reasonable person in possession of the same information would think the course of conduct amounted to harassment of the other (s.1(2) PHA 1997).

5. Acknowledgement

Please confirm in writing within 14 days that you will comply.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME / YOUR FIRM]

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Official Resources

Protection from Harassment Act 1997 →Stalking Protection Orders →

Frequently asked questions

What is a harassment cease and desist letter?: A harassment cease and desist letter is a formal notice sent to an alleged harasser. It warns them that their behaviour may constitute harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The letter serves as a final warning before the victim considers escalating the matter to the police or initiating civil proceedings. It is a civil litigation tool used to document the conduct and put the recipient on clear notice.
What are the key rules for writing a harassment cease and desist letter?: The letter should be calm, factual, and dated. It is important to avoid sending it in a state of anger. You must not threaten criminal prosecution, as only the police or Crown Prosecution Service can bring criminal charges. Additionally, you should maintain a contemporaneous incident log to support your claims. The letter should clearly detail the specific conduct and the actions the recipient must stop.
What happens if the recipient ignores the cease and desist letter?: The letter typically requests written confirmation of compliance within 14 days. It warns that non-compliance may lead to reporting the conduct to the police, issuing civil proceedings for an injunction and damages, or applying for a non-molestation order if the relationship qualifies. The letter also notes that the recipient's conduct and the letter itself may be used as evidence that they knew or ought to have known their actions amounted to harassment.
What should I do if I am in immediate danger or experiencing domestic abuse?: If you are in immediate physical danger, you should call 999. If the harassment involves domestic abuse, you can apply for a non-molestation order. This is a free process with no court fee and can often be granted on the same day. This is distinct from a cease and desist letter, which is a formal warning before considering police reports or civil court action.
Which laws are typically referenced in a harassment cease and desist letter?: The letter may reference the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which provides for both criminal sanctions and civil remedies. It may also mention the Malicious Communications Act 1988 for electronic harassment, or stalking provisions within the 1997 Act. The letter serves to put the recipient on notice that their conduct may violate these specific legal statutes.