Domestic Violence Lawyers Sydney
Sydney’s AVO and family violence specialists, acting fast on protection orders across NSW. Whatever you’re facing, you’ll have a team who’s ready.
Domestic Violence and AVO Lawyers in Sydney
When something happens at home that makes you feel unsafe, or you’ve been handed court papers you didn’t expect, the right advice early changes everything. Talking to experienced domestic violence lawyers in Sydney early can change the outcome for you and the people you love.
In Immediate danger? Call 000.
For 24/7 confidential support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. When you’re safe, we’re here for the legal side.
In New South Wales, protection from domestic violence usually means an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order, better known as an AVO. Police can apply for one on your behalf, often with a provisional order made on the spot, or you can apply privately through the Local Court. Once made, an AVO is enforceable anywhere in Australia.
At Unified Lawyers, our head office is in the Sydney CBD, minutes from the Downing Centre, and our AVO lawyers appear in Local Courts across Greater Sydney every week, from Parramatta to Sutherland. Whether you need protection urgently, you’ve been named as a defendant, or an AVO is tangled up with your parenting arrangements, we’ll explain exactly where you stand.
NSW law has also moved quickly in recent years. Coercive control is now a criminal offence in NSW, and courts take patterns of controlling behaviour seriously, not just physical incidents. If what’s happening to you doesn’t leave bruises, it still counts, and we can help you prove it.
We’re a family law firm first. That matters, because an AVO rarely exists on its own. It affects who lives in the family home, how children move between parents and what happens in any property settlement. We handle all of it together, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Discover how our Sydney domestic violence lawyers can help you, or book your free confidential consultation below.
What You Can Expect From Our Sydney Domestic Violence Lawyers
When you engage Unified Lawyers to handle your domestic violence matter in Sydney, you can expect to work with a team who will:
Take the time to understand your safety concerns, your family situation and your goals.
Develop a bespoke case strategy for your AVO application, defence or variation.
Keep you informed at every stage, including before every Local Court date.
Provide clear, compassionate advice so you fully understand the conditions and consequences of any order.
Resolve your matter as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, with transparent fee options.
Free First Consultation
Every new client gets a free initial consultation. One of our experienced AVO lawyers will listen to what’s happened, explain how NSW law applies to your situation, and set out your options in plain English, whether you’re seeking protection or responding to an application.
Calling a lawyer about family violence is a big step, and plenty of our clients tell us they put it off for weeks. There’s no obligation and no pressure. You’ll leave the call knowing where you stand, and that alone takes a weight off.
Book your free consultation today and get clear answers from a Sydney team that does this every day.
Best Domestic Violence Lawyers In Sydney
Unified Lawyers has been ranked among Sydney’s top three family law firms for nine years running. Since 2017 we’ve helped more than 8,000 clients, many of them through urgent AVO and family violence matters that needed same-week court action.
Family law is all we do, and our Sydney team, including Louise Cassar, Charuna Chetty, and Daniel Abraham, brings that focus to every AVO matter. We know how magistrates in Sydney’s Local Courts approach applications, what evidence carries weight, and how to draft conditions that protect you without creating problems in your parenting arrangements.
We hold more than 600 five-star Google reviews and were named 2025 Specialist Family Law Firm of the Year. Behind those numbers are Sydneysiders who called us frightened or blindsided and walked out of court protected, or cleared.
Our office is in the heart of the Sydney CBD, and we regularly appear at the Downing Centre, Parramatta, Burwood, Hornsby and Sutherland Local Courts, as well as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in Sydney for related parenting matters. You can also visit our family law team in North Sydney.
Best Family Lawyers In Sydney Since 2017
Our Sydney Domestic Violence Law Services
AVO and family violence matters come in many shapes, and each needs a different approach. Our Sydney domestic violence lawyers handle every aspect, including:
AVO Applications
If you need protection, we prepare and run your application for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007. We draft the conditions to fit your real life, home, work, school pick-ups, and present your evidence so the court can act with confidence.
Police and Provisional Orders
After a call-out, NSW Police often issue a provisional AVO immediately and then run the application in court. We explain what the police order means, appear alongside you at the first mention, and make sure the final conditions are workable for you and your children.
AVO Defence
Being named as a defendant is serious, but it isn’t a finding of guilt. An AVO can affect your home, your firearms licence, your job and your time with your kids. Our AVO lawyers give you honest advice about consenting without admissions, negotiating conditions or fighting the application at hearing.
Coercive Control and Non-Physical Abuse
Coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW, and patterns of financial abuse, surveillance, isolation and intimidation are grounds for protection. We help you document patterns of behaviour and present them in a way courts recognise. Learn more in our guide to coercive control.
AVOs and Parenting Arrangements
An AVO and a parenting order can pull in different directions if they’re not drafted carefully. We make sure protection conditions and parenting arrangements work together, including safe changeovers, and we act in related proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Variations and Breaches
Life changes, and AVO conditions sometimes need to change too. We apply to vary or revoke orders, and we act quickly when an order has been breached. Breaching an AVO is a criminal offence carrying up to two years’ imprisonment, and courts in NSW treat it that way.
600+
5 Star Reviews and Thousands of Lives Transformed
At Unified Lawyers, results matter because they matter to you. We’ve helped more than 8000+ clients across Australia resolve their family law matters with care and expertise.
Andrew Benz
Jessica O’Brien handled my matter which involved drawing up a formal agreement for the division of property post-separation which was filed with the courts. This was done in a highly efficient, very professional and low stress way, minimising costs and time. Jessica is a very kind, warm and empathetic person who genuinely cares. She listens to you carefully and is keen to know what outcomes you wish to achieve and how you want to go about things, consulting with you throughout the whole process. Separation and divorce are invariably highly stressful life events and the way that Jessica handled everything really reduced this stress. Thank you once again, Jessica.
Shaymaa El Kafrawy
I cannot recommend Mark Youssef and the team at Unified Lawyers highly enough. Going through family law proceedings was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but having Mark represent me made an enormous difference. Before working with him, I had already been represented by two other lawyers, and the level of support, organisation, strategy, and dedication I received from Mark was truly on another level. From day one, I felt supported and protected. Mark and his team were always responsive, professional, and prepared. No matter how stressful the situation became, I always knew my matter was being handled with care, attention, and genuine commitment. What impressed me most about Mark was not only his strong legal knowledge and courtroom presence, but also how deeply invested he was in achieving the best possible outcome. He is incredibly strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Throughout the case, I felt like I had a whole team fighting for me every step of the way.
Felicia Richards
I can’t thank Santino enough for his support, professionalism, and guidance throughout our matter. His level of knowledge, compassion, and dedication has been unmatched. He has a rare ability to balance exceptional legal expertise with genuine care and understanding, making an incredibly difficult process feel far more manageable. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing Santino was in my corner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled lawyer.
Jimmy Vu
I cannot thank Eliza Harley enough for helping me through my family law matter. She was very professional, compassionate and took the time to explain the processes clearly. Her expertise helped me navigate a challenging situation with confidence. I would highly recommend her for anyone seeking any legal assistance regarding family law.
Georgina
I highly recommend Unified Lawyers and especially Jessica Adamovich. She handled our family law matter with the utmost professionalism and was always willing to listen to our concerns and expectations. Thankfully due to her professionalism we were able to achieve the outcome we had hoped for
Ellen Cook
I am beyond thankful for Andrew Morrison and his team at Unified Lawyers. From the first phone call, Andrew listened to me and provided helpful information about my separation. The initial appointment helped me unpack my options and empowered me to know what to do next. Andrew was quick to reply to emails and was there to help. He successfully helped me seperate well from my ex without having to go to court and I can not thank him enough for this. I highly recommend Andrew Morrison!
Andrew Benz
Jessica O’Brien handled my matter which involved drawing up a formal agreement for the division of property post-separation which was filed with the courts. This was done in a highly efficient, very professional and low stress way, minimising costs and time. Jessica is a very kind, warm and empathetic person who genuinely cares. She listens to you carefully and is keen to know what outcomes you wish to achieve and how you want to go about things, consulting with you throughout the whole process. Separation and divorce are invariably highly stressful life events and the way that Jessica handled everything really reduced this stress. Thank you once again, Jessica.
Shaymaa El Kafrawy
I cannot recommend Mark Youssef and the team at Unified Lawyers highly enough. Going through family law proceedings was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but having Mark represent me made an enormous difference. Before working with him, I had already been represented by two other lawyers, and the level of support, organisation, strategy, and dedication I received from Mark was truly on another level. From day one, I felt supported and protected. Mark and his team were always responsive, professional, and prepared. No matter how stressful the situation became, I always knew my matter was being handled with care, attention, and genuine commitment. What impressed me most about Mark was not only his strong legal knowledge and courtroom presence, but also how deeply invested he was in achieving the best possible outcome. He is incredibly strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Throughout the case, I felt like I had a whole team fighting for me every step of the way.
Felicia Richards
I can’t thank Santino enough for his support, professionalism, and guidance throughout our matter. His level of knowledge, compassion, and dedication has been unmatched. He has a rare ability to balance exceptional legal expertise with genuine care and understanding, making an incredibly difficult process feel far more manageable. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing Santino was in my corner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled lawyer.
Jimmy Vu
I cannot thank Eliza Harley enough for helping me through my family law matter. She was very professional, compassionate and took the time to explain the processes clearly. Her expertise helped me navigate a challenging situation with confidence. I would highly recommend her for anyone seeking any legal assistance regarding family law.
Georgina
I highly recommend Unified Lawyers and especially Jessica Adamovich. She handled our family law matter with the utmost professionalism and was always willing to listen to our concerns and expectations. Thankfully due to her professionalism we were able to achieve the outcome we had hoped for
Ellen Cook
I am beyond thankful for Andrew Morrison and his team at Unified Lawyers. From the first phone call, Andrew listened to me and provided helpful information about my separation. The initial appointment helped me unpack my options and empowered me to know what to do next. Andrew was quick to reply to emails and was there to help. He successfully helped me seperate well from my ex without having to go to court and I can not thank him enough for this. I highly recommend Andrew Morrison!
Affordable AVO Lawyers In Sydney Without Sacrificing Expertise
Money worries stop too many people from getting protection, especially when finances have been used as a form of control. We’ve built our billing around clarity and fairness so that doesn’t happen to you.
We don’t charge for brief phone calls, printing, postage or faxes. Fees reflect the time genuinely spent on your matter, and you’ll receive a written cost estimate, including GST and out-of-pocket expenses, before any work begins. No surprises.
If paying upfront is a barrier, ask about our flexible arrangements, including payment plans and JustFund family law funding for eligible clients.
Fixed billing
Fixed-fee options for specific services where possible.
Time-interval billing
Standard hourly billing with transparent rates.
Flexible fees
Payment plans, staged billing and JustFund funding for clients who need flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence Lawyers Sydney
What is an AVO and how does it protect me?
An AVO restricts what the other person can do and where they can go, with conditions built around your safety, your home and your children. Our job is getting conditions that actually fit your life and your parenting arrangements, then enforcing them if they’re breached. For the full definition and process, read our guide to AVOs.
What’s the difference between an ADVO and an APVO?
An ADVO covers people in a domestic relationship, like partners, ex-partners, family members or household members. An APVO covers everyone else, such as neighbours or colleagues. Domestic violence matters in Sydney almost always involve ADVOs, which carry extra consequences in family law.
How quickly can I get protection in Sydney?
Very quickly, in urgent cases. Police can issue a provisional AVO on the spot, and courts can make interim orders at the first mention, usually within days or a couple of weeks. If you’re not going through police, we can file a private application in the Local Court and push for an early interim order.
Do I need a lawyer for an AVO in Sydney?
Not always, but it helps far more than most people expect. Police prosecutors act for the state, not for you personally, and self-represented parties often end up with conditions that cause problems later, especially around children. If the AVO is contested or connected to parenting or property issues, get advice before your first court date.
What happens if I’ve been served with an AVO application?
Don’t ignore it, and don’t contact the protected person about it. Get advice before the first mention date so you understand your options, which include consenting without admissions, negotiating conditions or contesting the application at a hearing. The choice affects your record, your licence and your family law position, so make it with advice.
How much does an AVO lawyer cost in Sydney?
Your first consultation is free, and we’ll quote before any work starts. A matter that resolves by consent at an early mention costs far less than a contested hearing. We offer fixed fees where possible, plus payment plans and JustFund funding for eligible clients.
Will an AVO show up on my criminal record?
No. An AVO is a civil order, not a criminal conviction, so it doesn’t appear on a standard criminal record check. But breaching one is a criminal offence, and having an AVO can affect firearms licences, some employment and family law proceedings. That’s why the conditions matter so much.
Can an AVO affect my parenting arrangements?
Yes, significantly. Courts must consider family violence and any AVOs when making parenting orders, and an order’s conditions can affect changeovers and communication between parents. We draft and negotiate AVO conditions with your parenting situation in mind, so protection and parenting work together rather than against each other.