AVO Matters
Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders. Defending applications and applying for orders on instructions.
An AVO Has Been Applied for Against You
An apprehended violence order is a civil order with serious practical consequences. It can affect where you live, your contact with children, your employment, your firearms licence and, in some cases, your migration status. We act for both protected persons applying for orders and defendants responding to applications, and we approach each matter on its facts rather than by assumption.
What Is an Apprehended Violence Order?
An AVO is a civil order made by a court to protect a person from violence, harassment, intimidation or stalking. It is not a criminal conviction, but breaching it is a criminal offence in its own right.
ADVOs and APVOs
An Apprehended Domestic Violence Order applies between people in a domestic relationship, such as partners, family members or carers. An Apprehended Personal Violence Order applies between people who are not in a domestic relationship, such as neighbours, colleagues or acquaintances.
Deciding how to respond to an AVO
Interim Orders and Consenting Without Admissions
A provisional order can be made urgently by police, often at the scene, while an interim order is made by a court pending a final hearing. Sometimes consenting without admissions is the pragmatic course, particularly where a defended hearing carries real risk. In other matters, the order itself causes genuine hardship and a hearing is the right course.
Conditions and Wider Consequences
Standard conditions prevent harassment and approaching the protected person, and additional conditions can exclude a person from a shared home or restrict contact. An AVO will usually require the surrender of a firearms licence, can affect employment in some regulated industries, and needs to be considered alongside any parenting arrangements.
How Shah & Co Lawyers can assist
Whether you are protecting yourself or responding to an application, here is how we help.
Defending ADVO Applications
Defending police and private Apprehended Domestic Violence Order applications.
Defending APVO Applications
Defending Apprehended Personal Violence Order applications between neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances.
Applying for an AVO
Acting for protected persons applying for an AVO on instructions.
Variation and Revocation
Applications to vary or revoke existing orders as circumstances change.
Negotiated Outcomes
Negotiating consent without admissions where it genuinely serves your interests.
Defended AVO Hearings
Defended hearings, including cross-examination of the applicant and supporting witnesses.
Common risks
- A final order affecting where you can live or attend.
- Loss of a firearms licence where one is held.
- Difficulty with parenting arrangements if not addressed early.
- A breach charge arising from unintentional contact.
Frequently asked questions
General information only. Every matter turns on its own facts.
Other criminal law services
Police Interviews
Advice and representation before, during and after a police interview. We protect your right to silence and your right to legal representation.
View Police InterviewsBail Applications
Urgent bail applications in the Local, District and Supreme Court, prepared quickly and properly, with release plans, sureties and supporting material.
View Bail ApplicationsDrug Offences
Possession, supply, ongoing supply, deemed supply, importation and drug driving matters under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act and the Criminal Code.
View Drug OffencesAssault Offences
Common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, reckless wounding, grievous bodily harm and affray. Defence, plea and sentencing representation.
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Drink driving, drug driving, dangerous driving, negligent driving occasioning death or grievous bodily harm, licence appeals and habitual offender declarations.
View Traffic OffencesDomestic Violence Matters
Domestic violence charges, related AVOs and breach of AVO proceedings. We act for both accused persons and protected persons.
View Domestic Violence MattersSpeak with a solicitor about your AVO matter.
Arrange a confidential consultation. Discreet, professional and tailored to your circumstances.