Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations in Spain

This page is for people in Spain who have been accused of domestic or gender violence by a partner or family member. It explains the process from the police report to the court and what an English-speaking registered lawyer does for the accused.
lawyers in Spain
20
cases in this service
34
clients' rating in Spain
4.95 ★

About Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations in Spain

Domestic violence allegations in Spain, also described as domestic violence charges or a denuncia por violencia de género or violencia doméstica, start a criminal procedure long before any trial. This page is for a person who has been accused by a partner, a former partner or another family member, and for relatives supporting them from abroad. It is general information, not legal advice. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Cases of Alleged Domestic Violence”.

How the process usually starts

Most cases begin with a report (denuncia) to the Policía Nacional, the Guardia Civil or a court, sometimes after an argument in public that others reported. The person may be detained, questioned and brought before a duty court. Spanish procedure provides for a lawyer and, where the person does not speak Spanish, an interpreter at the police station. Cases between current or former partners usually go to specialised courts (juzgados de violencia sobre la mujer); other family cases go to an ordinary investigating court.

Measures that can apply early

While the case is investigated, a judge can order precautionary measures such as a no-contact order (orden de alejamiento) or leaving a shared home. These can apply long before any verdict and are not a finding of guilt.

What an English-speaking lawyer does

English-speaking registered lawyers can explain the accusation and the stages in plain English, attend questioning, review statements and evidence, and appear at hearings. The judge, not the lawyer, decides the outcome. Related pages: assault charges and cancelling a criminal record; see also criminal law in Spain.

Questions and answers

What happens after a denuncia is filed?

The police pass it to a court, which opens an investigation. The accused may be questioned and may be summoned to a fast hearing or to a longer procedure, depending on the case.

Is a lawyer present at the police station?

Spanish procedure provides for one. If the person has not chosen a lawyer, a duty lawyer (abogado de oficio) is assigned; a duty lawyer may not speak English, which is why some people hire a private English-speaking lawyer.

Does a no-contact order mean the person is guilty?

No. It is a measure ordered during the investigation, based on the information the court has at that point.

Can someone leave Spain while a case is open?

It depends on the judge. Courts can impose conditions such as handing over a passport or reporting to the court regularly.

20 lawyers who provide Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations in Spain

Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.

  • Alvaro, lawyer in Fuengirola

    Alvaro

    Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain

    • 1,584 cases handled · 10 in this service
    • 14+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English
    • Law, Jaén
    • 4.97(146 reviews)
    Contact Alvaro
  • Albert, lawyer in Barcelona

    Albert

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 294 cases handled · 7 in this service
    • 28+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Barcelona, Glasgow University School of Law
    • 4.95(4 reviews)
    Contact Albert
  • José, lawyer in Alicante City

    José

    Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain

    • 786 cases handled · 5 in this service
    • 22+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Alicante University
    • 4.99(97 reviews)
    Contact José
  • Raffaele, lawyer in Barcelona

    Raffaele

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 1,553 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 15+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish
    • Spanish Law; Italian Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Università degli Studi di Milano
    • 4.90(38 reviews)
    Contact Raffaele
  • Inma, lawyer in Murcia City

    Inma

    Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain

    • 910 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 11+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law
    • 4.95(59 reviews)
    Contact Inma
  • Inma, lawyer in Valencia

    Inma

    Lawyer · Valencia, Spain

    • 716 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 18+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Valencia
    • 4.99(56 reviews)
    Contact Inma
  • Miguel, lawyer in Oviedo

    Miguel

    Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain

    • 254 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 26+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Oviedo
    • 4.98(22 reviews)
    Contact Miguel
  • Daniel, lawyer in Mallorca

    Daniel

    Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain

    • 137 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 11+ years in practice
    • Speaks: Spanish, Italian, English, Portuguese, French
    • Law, UIB
    • 5.00(5 reviews)
    Contact Daniel
  • Federico, lawyer in Madrid

    Federico

    Lawyer · Madrid, Spain

    • 440 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 25+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, German, French, Spanish
    • Law, Complutense University Madrid (San Pablo)
    • 4.82(14 reviews)
    Contact Federico
  • Domingo, lawyer in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

    Domingo

    Lawyer · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    • 372 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 19+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Salamanca
    • 4.94(28 reviews)
    Contact Domingo
  • María-José, lawyer in Murcia City

    María-José

    Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain

    • 691 cases handled
    • 22+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English
    • Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
    • 4.98(53 reviews)
    Contact María-José
  • Francisca, lawyer in Gandia

    Francisca

    Lawyer · Gandia, Spain

    • 469 cases handled
    • 21+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • University of Valencia
    • 4.83(35 reviews)
    Contact Francisca
  • Esther, lawyer in Maspalomas

    Esther

    Lawyer · Maspalomas, Spain

    • 229 cases handled
    • 23+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, German
    • Law, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
    • 4.99(17 reviews)
    Contact Esther
  • Rafael, lawyer in Seville

    Rafael

    Lawyer · Seville, Spain

    • 204 cases handled
    • 31+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Seville
    • 4.81(27 reviews)
    Contact Rafael
  • María, lawyer in Estepona

    María

    Lawyer · Estepona, Spain

    • 184 cases handled
    • 8+ years in practice
    • Speaks: Spanish, English
    • Law, University Granada
    • 4.60(5 reviews)
    Contact María
  • Juan, lawyer in Madrid

    Juan

    Lawyer · Madrid, Spain

    • 164 cases handled
    • 10+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Degree in Law, Deusto University (Bilbao, Basque Country)
    • 4.86(7 reviews)
    Contact Juan
  • Francisco, lawyer in Cadiz

    Francisco

    Lawyer · Cadiz, Spain

    • 136 cases handled
    • Speaks: English
    • 4.63(5 reviews)
    Contact Francisco
  • Juan Ignacio, lawyer in Vera

    Juan Ignacio

    Lawyer · Vera, Spain

    • 117 cases handled
    • 15+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Almeria
    • 4.93(21 reviews)
    Contact Juan Ignacio
  • Maria, lawyer in Girona

    Maria

    Lawyer · Girona, Spain

    • 60 cases handled
    • 23+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
    • 4.38(8 reviews)
    Contact Maria
  • Ramon, lawyer in Almeria

    Ramon

    Lawyer · Almeria, Spain

    • 13+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Almeria University
    Contact Ramon
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer

Talk to a lawyer about Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations

20 registered lawyers provide this service in Spain. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.

We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.

See the lawyers ↓

Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.

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What our clients say about our service in Spain

  • I found the professional extremely helpful and informative. The advice set my mind at ease, and I am completely satisfied with the help. I plan to get in touch again next year.
    — William
    14 Apr 2024
  • Thank you for everything. You came to my aid within two hours and have gone on supporting me through a very complicated case, always available whenever I have a question or need something.
    — A client
    25 Jul 2022
  • The lawyer was very kind, professional and extremely knowledgeable. I only wish we had found him at the start, because I think the outcome would have been completely different.
    — Sally-Ann
    25 Jul 2022
  • He is a highly professional and experienced lawyer based in Alicante. He explained my options and advised me on how to resolve my case. He did very well: the case was resolved and dismissed. I highly recommend him to anyone needing a lawyer in Alicante, Spain.
    — Oleg
    12 May 2025
    Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations
  • The lawyer answered my questions and gave me legal advice like a true professional. I had an exceptional, very informative call with him, and the advice was extremely valuable. He explained every answer to my questions perfectly, and I was completely satisfied with the result.
    — D.C.
    30 May 2024
  • Brilliant: he advised me and took action immediately, and his communication in perfect English was always helpful, clear and timely.
    — Graham
    05 May 2023
  • The lawyer did an excellent job for me. Legal matters are a mystery to me, yet she saw me safely through a really hard period, which is finally over. I am more thankful than I can say, and I would certainly recommend her. All the best!
    — Andrew
    16 Nov 2022
  • The lawyer was very easy to reach by email and phone, and he updated me whenever something changed or moved forward. I was obviously very worried about the situation, and he reassured me many times and showed great understanding, which made a real difference. I found him approachable, kind and knowledgeable, and he explained everything whenever I had a question, even the ones that were probably very silly. I also think his fee was good value for the level of service he gave. I would not hesitate to recommend him or to use him again, although I sincerely hope I will not need to. He is definitely great at his job.
    — Emily
    19 May 2021
  • I recommend this lawyer, who helped me through a tough situation after I was wrongly accused of fraud. The advice, support and professionalism he offered were outstanding.
    — Elin
    28 Feb 2020
  • The lawyer gave us a good service. Getting information from other professionals on time was tricky for him, and Covid-19 slowed things down, but he kept trying. He also fixed a price and kept to it, although the work proved more involved than first expected, and I thought the fee we paid was fair and good value. We were happy with how he communicated with us as well.
    — Anthony
    10 Jun 2021
  • This was a highly professional and efficient service. Our urgent email got a reply almost immediately. The lawyer was very approachable and helpful in handling the case and translated everything into English for us. The service was excellent value for money, and we are completely satisfied with the outcome.
    — Rhona
    16 Nov 2022
  • The lawyer was professional in every respect, polite and understanding, and made sure you knew all the facts about Spanish law. Thanks to his guidance and advice my case reached a good conclusion, and I was very satisfied with the result. I was surprised how reasonable and economical his fees were given his experience and knowledge. I would have no hesitation recommending him to future clients.
    — Patrick
    17 Jun 2022