(1) Where an application is made ex pat1e to the Court for a protection order, the Court shall issue an interim protection order if it considers the order to be in the best interest of the applicant.

(2) In determining whether it is in the best interest of the applicant to issue an interim protection order, the Court shall consider,

(a) whether there is risk of harm to the applicant or a relation or friend of the applicant if the order is not made immediately;

(b) whether it is likely that the applicant will be deterred or prevented from pursuing the application if an order is not made immediately; and

(c) whether there is reason to believe that the respondent is deliberately evading service of notice of the proceedings and the applicant, or a person in a domestic relationship with the respondent will be prejudiced by the delay involved in effecting service.

(3) An interim protection order shall be for a period of not more than three months.

(4) The Court shall when making an interim protection order, where the respondent is not already before the Court, summon the respondent to appear within the period of three months to show cause why the interim order should not be made final.

(5) Where the respondent, without reasonable cause, fails to appear before the Court in accordance with subsection (4), the order shall become final.

(6) Where an application is made on notice to the Court for a protection order and the Court is of the opinion that

(a) the respondent has committed, is committing, or is likely to commit an act of domestic violence, and

(b) the applicant may suffer significant harm if a protection order is not issued, the Court may issue an interim protection order pending the consideration of the order applied for.