Family & Relationships · Melbourne CBD
35 domestic violence & avos firms in Melbourne CBD, Victoria, including Melbourne.
35 firms
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Gable Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Franchising and Property & Conveyancing.
Each state has its own protection order scheme, called AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland and restraining orders in WA. Police can apply on your behalf, or you can apply yourself. A lawyer can explain the conditions, represent you at court and connect the order with any family law proceedings.
Protection orders can stop threats, contact and harassment quickly. For respondents, an order can affect housing, parenting time, firearms licences and some jobs.
Each state has its own scheme: AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland, restraining orders in WA and SA. Orders are made in state local or magistrates courts and are nationally recognised under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.
Understand the next step
Tell the lawyer whether you need protection, have been served with an application or already have an order. Use a safe method of contact and make the next hearing date clear at the outset.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. A directory enquiry is not an emergency service or confirmation that representation has been arranged.
A Melbourne CBD search can be useful for comparing teams with different specialisations. Ask who will do the work and who will supervise it, especially when a firm has several practice departments.
For domestic violence & avos, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Melbourne CBD. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
In Victoria, the Magistrates' Court hears most criminal and minor civil matters, with the County Court and Supreme Court handling more serious cases. Residential tenancy, planning, building and discrimination disputes often go to VCAT. Lawyers are regulated by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner, which also handles complaints.
Good to know
No. A protection order is a civil order. Breaching it, however, is a criminal offence.
Call 000. Police can make or seek urgent orders. For support, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours.
Most matters start in the Magistrates' Court. More serious cases go to the County Court or the Supreme Court of Victoria. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Hercules Constan provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Oxen Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
R & J LAWYERS provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
West Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Robert A. McHugh provides legal services in West Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Robyn Greensill & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Bail Applications.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Sargeants provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Sodexo provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Partner & Family Visas and Property & Conveyancing.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Tony Hargreaves & Partners Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Practising certificates in Victoria are managed by the Victorian Legal Services Board. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.