Family Law | AVOs, APVOs & ADVOs

Defending AVOs, ADVOs and APVOs

If you need to respond to or appear in Court in relation to an AVO, whether that is an ADVO or an APVO, one of our highly experienced lawyers can assist you.

Multiple Office Locations

Sydney, NSW, ACT & WA

Multilingual Lawyers

24/7 access

50+ years of collective experience

Multiple Office Locations

Sydney, NSW, ACT & WA

Multilingual Lawyers

24/7 access

50+ years of collective experience

What is an AVO, ADVO and APVO?

There are two types of AVOs or Apprehended Violence Orders.

ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order)

An ADVO or Apprehended Domestic Violence Order is issued to protect a person or persons with whom you have a domestic relationship. If you have been issued with an ADVO, you are prohibited from engaging in further behaviour considered to be:

Assaulting or threatening a person or persons named in the ADVO;
Stalking, harassing or intimidating a person or persons named in the ADVO;
Intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property owned or rented by the person or persons named in the ADVO.

APVO (Apprehended Personal Violence Order)

An APVO differs from an ADVO by protecting a person or persons with whom you do not have a domestic relationship. An example of this could be a co-worker or a neighbour.

The conditions for an APVO are the same as those for an ADVO.

In some cases, additional restrictions may also apply when you are issued with an ADVO or an APVO, such as:

You are no longer allowed to reside in the family home.
You cannot contact the person or persons protected by the AVO except through a lawyer.
You are not allowed within a certain distance from the person or persons’ residence, school or work.
You cannot be in the company of the person or persons for at least 12 hours after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
You cannot possess prohibited weapons or firearms.
You are not allowed to locate or try to find the person or persons protected by the AVO.

If you have been issued with an AVO that has conditions which you consider unfair or severely limiting, one of our multilingual lawyers can discuss your case with you and advise how we can help.

Challenging an ADVO or APVO

When you are issued with an ADVO or APVO, you must attend a Court Hearing. At this Hearing, your representative lawyer can contest the ADVO or APVO or contest certain conditions applying to the AVO.

Your lawyer will consider the evidence against you and obtain further evidence from you and or other witnesses as required.

Lionheart Lawyers has experienced AVO lawyers who can represent you in Court and appear on your behalf.

In some cases, you may apply for an annulment of the AVO and our lawyers will also be able to assist you with this.

Breaching an AVO

Breaching an AVO is a serious matter. You could be charged with a criminal offence because you have breached a court order.

If you have been accused of breaching an AVO, contact us. We will investigate your case and work on your behalf to defend the allegations made against you.

Defending Domestic Violence Charges

If you have been accused of domestic or family violence and charges have been made, whether fairly or unfairly, you will need the assistance of an experienced lawyer to prepare a defence for court.

We will thoroughly review the details and circumstances of the charges and advise you of the best course of action to drive the most beneficial outcome. We will explain the most likely scenarios based on your plea and the application of other related court orders such as an AVO.

Seeking Expert Legal Advice in Family Law?

Contact us for a free consultation.

We’ll Fight for You

Lionheart Lawyers are leaders in providing clear and concise legal advice and solutions. We take the time to understand your circumstances and offer tailored and customised advice and services to achieve your optimal outcome.

Our premium legal services are delivered by a team of highly qualified and personable professionals with more than 50 years of collective experience.

Seeking Expert Legal Advice in Family Law?

Contact us for a free consultation.

Trusted Family Law Experts

[Charbel] is highly knowledgeable, professional and very client service focused and made the entire process go smoothly and kept me informed every step of the way. Charbel, thank you for your excellent service and guidance and for giving me a sense of peace throughout the most stressful part of my life. I am forever grateful!!

One of the best law firms in Australia, Lionheart Lawyers 👍 continually provides clients with excellent services. Wonderful team of professionals to deal with from office support to solicitors. Always has a quick response time, and good advice. Incredibly impressed and will be sure to use again in the future. Majed and Julina Thank you so much for your amazing help!

I had a very good experience with Lionheart Lawyers. They pursued my motor vehicle accident case. Majed and Julina really assisted me throughout my case; they constantly made me feel comfortable and were always going above and beyond to help in any way while achieving the best outcome. Both him and Julina, along with the team at Lionheart, were constantly professional, kind and supportive throughout the whole process. I 100% recommend.

Lionheart are the best legal team you can have on your side. They have been our legal firm for over 7 years. The team are very good at what they do, we trust them with all legal issues big or small and for all legal advice which is always motivated by our best interest.There isn't another legal firm that will work for you as hard and with your best interest at heart as these guys. Thanks to Charbel and Nazih and team!

Lionheart Lawyers were excellent. From the very start I knew I was finally working with the best. Charbel Azzi and his team including Judiel Garcia were on top of every matter and providing the best advice. My case was a very complex case and the team used both great legal knowledge and expertise but also were able to 'think outside of the square'. I will be recommending them to friends and family. I felt totally supported throughout the legal process.

In a time of my life where it was the most challenging, stressful moments I would always feel better after speaking to Nazih, Judiel and Christie who always had patience with me and they would always explain and updated me on how my case was going. I am so thankful and appreciate everything the team has done for myself and my children. They are more than a business they have a genuine care where they will do their best and have the most upmost morals and fairness.

Thank you Charbel for navigating our highly complex and multifaceted matter from beginning to end, with skill, professionalism and empathy. Your personal attention to the details and nuance and your guidance throughout made an invaluable difference. A huge commendation to Bonnie as well for her diligence and hard work.

Lionheart lawyers exceptional handling of my case resulted in a victorious outcome Charbel and Judiel's expertise, dedication and strategic approach exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended for legal representation. Highly recommended.

I am extremely pleased with the service from Lionheart Lawyers, from the first time I met the team in the office to the way I was treated was truly professional. The team responded to my every query promptly and worked very hard to achieve the best outcome and leave no stone unturned in there pursuit for justice and the rights of the client. The team make you feel so comfortable at every stage and explain things very well so you understand your case and you can make the best decisions moving forward.

This group, especially the principal are very good. One of the best I have ever met. Charbel and his team did a very good job for me. I just relaxed as I knew my case was in safe hands. He is a thorough lawyer and will leave no stones unturned. The opponents shiver when he is on. Highly recommended. Nominal fee. Very satisfied client.

From start to finish Majed Issa & his team were excellent & highly professional. Majed gave sound, honest and open advice which left me feeling extremely comfortable & I always new where my case was at. Majed’s communication was amazing & he always responded in a timely manner & quite often he contacted me after business hours to make sure I received any updates or a response to my questions. I truly felt a genuine care & understanding which goes along way!

Charbel Azzi and his colleagues left no stone unturned in ensuring the best result for my situation. Thank you for all your help and I have no hesitation in recommending your practice.

Excellent service and extremely professional, I can't thank the team at Lionheart Lawyers for all their professional support and assistance in delivering exceptional client service. Highly recommend!

Charbel Azzi

Legal Practitioner Director

Nazih Touma

Legal Practitioner Director

Majed Issa

Accredited Specialist Director

Defending AVOs, ADVOs and APVOs

What is an AVO, ADVO and APVO?

ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order)

APVO (Apprehended Personal Violence Order)

Challenging an ADVO or APVO

Breaching an AVO

Defending Domestic Violence Charges

Seeking Expert Legal Advice in Family Law?

Contact us for a free consultation.

We’ll Fight for You

Seeking Expert Legal Advice in Family Law?

Contact us for a free consultation.

Family Law

Trusted Family Law Experts

Our Partners

Charbel Azzi

Nazih Touma

Majed Issa

Latest Insights

Special needs son left out of father’s will awarded $175,000

What charge is ‘fair and reasonable’ in Quantum Meruit claims?

What to do if your marital property is not in your name

What is a Work Capacity Decision (WCD)?

Can my social media impact my claim?