Cease and desist · England & Wales

They won't stop.
A formal letter that tells them, in writing, to stop.

If you feel unsafe, or the person is a current or former partner or family member, speak to the police before sending anything: 999 in an emergency, 101 otherwise. A letter can sometimes make things worse.

A cease and desist letter written around what's been happening: the dates, what was said or done, what you want to stop, and the step you may take if it doesn't. Delivered within 10 minutes as Word and PDF.

What's in your letter

  • The conduct, set out as a dated list of what happened.
  • A clear request to stop, and a date to confirm they will.
  • The legal basis that fits your situation, such as the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 for repeated unwanted contact, or copyright law if someone is using your photos, writing or designs without permission.
  • The step you may take next if it carries on.

Word and PDF, emailed within 10 minutes.

Sample letter

Fictional names and events. Your letter is written around your own facts.

When a letter helps, and when it doesn't

Usually right for

  • repeated unwanted calls, messages or visits from someone you're not in a relationship with;
  • a business that keeps contacting you after you asked it to stop;
  • someone using your photos, writing or designs without permission.

Not the right tool for

  • an emergency or threats of violence (call the police);
  • a current or former partner or family member (speak to the police or a domestic abuse service first);
  • defamation in the media;
  • anything where you need a court order urgently.

The law, in plain English

England & Wales

  • Harassment can include alarming someone or causing them distress, and a "course of conduct" means conduct on at least two occasions. Conduct includes speech.
  • Someone who is, or may be, the victim of harassment can bring a civil claim, and the court can award damages for distress and financial loss and can grant an injunction.
  • The owner of a copyright can bring a claim for infringement, with remedies including damages and an injunction.

Common questions

Free revision if you reply within 24 hours of delivery. If the revision doesn't fix it, a full refund within 7 days of your order.