Domestic violence orders
What is a domestic violence order?
A domestic violence order (DVO) is a court order made to protect someone from violence, threats, or abusive behaviour by a partner, ex-partner, or family member.
There are two types of orders:
- A temporary protection order, made quickly in urgent cases
- A final protection order, usually lasting five years
A DVO can include conditions like stopping contact, staying away from someone’s home or work, or not approaching children. Breaching a DVO is a criminal offence, even if the other person agrees to contact.
Need advice about a domestic violence order?
Whether you're responding to a protection order or need to apply for one, it’s important to understand how the process works — and what’s at stake. Domestic violence orders can affect where you live, who you speak to, and how often you see your children.
We’ll explain the options, help prepare your case, and represent you in court so you're not facing it alone.
Who we help
We work with people on both sides of domestic violence matters — those applying for protection, and those responding to an order.
If you’ve had a DVO taken out against you, we’ll explain what it means, what you can and can’t do, and how to respond in court.
If you need to apply for a protection order, we’ll guide you through the process and prepare your application properly.
We also assist parents, grandparents, and other family members caught up in related proceedings.
Applying for or responding to a protection order
Domestic violence orders are civil matters, but the consequences can feel very personal. We help clients at every stage of the process — from first contact with police or court, right through to contested hearings.
We’ll review the order, talk through your side of the story, and help you decide whether to oppose it or agree to it on a “without admissions” basis. We’ll explain how to avoid breaching the order and what to expect at each court appearance.
We’ll prepare the paperwork, file it with the court, and represent you at the mention. If needed, we can also brief a barrister and help prepare evidence for a final hearing.
The process moves quickly, and getting early advice often makes things simpler down the line. We’ll make sure you understand your rights, your responsibilities, and how to protect yourself through the process — whether you’re defending or applying.
How a DVO can affect you
A domestic violence order isn’t just a piece of paper — it can affect your daily life, your relationships, and your future.
If you're the respondent, a DVO might stop you from contacting someone, returning home, or even seeing your children. It can also show up on police checks, which may impact employment or travel. Breaching a DVO — even accidentally — is a criminal offence and can lead to serious penalties.
That’s why it’s important to understand exactly what the order means, and how to deal with it properly. We’ll explain the conditions in plain terms and help you avoid making things worse.
Come visit us at one of our two locations
We’ve got offices in Brisbane City and Cleveland, so you can drop in wherever’s easiest.
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