Domestic Violence Lawyers Brisbane
Brisbane’s DVO and family violence specialists, moving fast on protection orders across Queensland. Whatever you’re facing, you’ll have a team who’s ready.
Domestic Violence and DVO Lawyers in Brisbane
If something has happened at home and you’re scared, or you’ve been served with an application you never saw coming, what you do in the next two weeks matters. Getting experienced domestic violence lawyers in Brisbane involved early gives you protection, answers and a plan before the first court date.
In Immediate danger? Call 000.
DVConnect’s Womensline is available 24/7 on 1800 811 811, Mensline on 1800 600 636, and 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. When you’re safe, we’ll handle the legal side.
In Queensland, protection comes through a Domestic Violence Order, or DVO, made under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012. Police can issue a Police Protection Notice on the spot and apply for an order on your behalf, or you can apply directly to the Magistrates Court. Once made, a DVO is enforceable everywhere in Australia.
At Unified Lawyers, our Brisbane family lawyers appear in DVO matters at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on George Street and at courts across the south east, including Holland Park, Wynnum, Pine Rivers and Ipswich. Whether you’re the aggrieved seeking protection or the respondent working out how to reply, we’ll give you straight answers.
Queensland law recognises far more than physical violence. Emotional abuse, financial control, threats and stalking all count, and since Hannah’s Law commenced in 2025, coercive control is a standalone criminal offence in Queensland. Patterns of controlling behaviour now carry real consequences.
We’re family law specialists, not a criminal firm that dabbles. A DVO in Brisbane almost always connects to something bigger, parenting arrangements, who stays in the house, property settlement. We run all of it together, in the Magistrates Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, so your protection and your family law position line up.
Discover how our Brisbane domestic violence lawyers can help you, or book your free confidential consultation below.
What You Can Expect From Our Brisbane Domestic Violence Lawyers
When you engage Unified Lawyers to handle your domestic violence matter in Brisbane, 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 DVO application, response or variation.
Keep you informed at every stage, including before every Magistrates 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 starts with a free initial consultation. One of our experienced Brisbane lawyers will listen to what’s happened, explain how Queensland’s domestic violence laws apply to you, and map out your options, whether you need protection now or you’ve been named as a respondent.
We know how big that first call feels. There’s no obligation, no pressure and no judgement. You’ll come away knowing what a DVO would actually mean for your situation, and what happens next.
Book your free consultation today and get answers from a Brisbane team that deals with these matters every week.
Best Domestic Violence Lawyers In Brisbane
Unified Lawyers has helped more than 8,000 clients through family law and family violence matters since 2017, and our Brisbane team carries that same standard into Queensland courts.
Family law is all we do. Our Brisbane lawyers, including Kerry Anne Aguilar, Bronwen Lloyd, and Otto Lu, know how Queensland magistrates approach DVO applications, what evidence persuades them, and how to draft conditions that keep you safe without wrecking parenting changeovers. When a DVO matter spills into parenting or property, the same team handles it, and nothing gets lost between two sets of lawyers.
We hold more than 600 five-star Google reviews and were named 2025 Specialist Family Law Firm of the Year. Behind those reviews are clients who came to us at their lowest and left with protection, certainty and a plan.
Our Brisbane office serves clients across the greater city and south east Queensland, and we appear regularly at the Brisbane family court for related parenting matters.
Best Family Lawyers In Brisbane Since 2017
Our Brisbane Domestic Violence Law Services
Domestic violence matters in Queensland take many forms, and each needs its own approach. Our Brisbane domestic violence lawyers handle every aspect, including:
DVO Applications
We prepare and run applications for Domestic Violence Orders in the Magistrates Court, presenting your evidence clearly and seeking conditions that fit your life, your home, your work and your children’s school. Standard conditions require good behaviour; the extra conditions are where careful drafting protects you most.
Police Protection Notices and Temporary Orders
After a call-out, Queensland Police can issue a Police Protection Notice that protects you immediately and starts the court process. We explain what the notice means, appear with you at the first mention, and seek a temporary protection order that holds until the final decision.
Responding to a DVO Application
Being named as a respondent is serious, but you have options. A DVO can affect your home, your weapons licence, your job and your time with your children, and breaching one is a criminal offence. We give respondents honest advice on consenting without admissions, negotiating conditions or contesting the application at hearing.
Coercive Control Matters
Since Hannah’s Law commenced in 2025, coercive control is a criminal offence in Queensland, and patterns of controlling behaviour are central to how courts now assess domestic violence. We help clients document financial control, isolation, surveillance and intimidation, and present those patterns in a way courts recognise. Our guide to domestic violence orders explains more.
DVOs and Parenting Arrangements
A DVO and a parenting order have to work together, or changeovers become unsafe or impossible. We align protection conditions with parenting arrangements, and we act in related proceedings, including child custody matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
Variations and Breaches
Circumstances change, and DVO conditions sometimes need to change with them. We apply to vary orders, and we act fast when an order has been breached, because enforcement is what makes protection real. In Queensland, breaching a DVO carries penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment, or five years for repeat breaches.
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 DVO Lawyers In Brisbane Without Sacrificing Expertise
Cost fears keep too many people from getting protection, especially when money has been part of the control. We’ve built our billing around clarity and fairness so that’s never the reason you stay unprotected.
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 estimate, including GST and out-of-pocket expenses, before any work begins.
If upfront payment is hard, ask about 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 Brisbane
What is a DVO and what does it do?
A DVO restricts the respondent’s behaviour, with conditions that can cover contact, your home, your work and your children’s school. We focus on getting conditions that protect you without making parenting changeovers unworkable, and on acting fast when an order is breached. For the full breakdown, read our DVO guide.
Who can apply for a DVO in Brisbane?
The aggrieved person can apply directly to the Magistrates Court, police can apply on their behalf, and an authorised person, like a friend, relative or support worker, can apply with the aggrieved’s consent. DVOs cover intimate partner relationships, family relationships and informal care relationships.
How quickly can I get protection in Queensland?
Straight away, in urgent cases. Police can issue a Police Protection Notice on the spot, which acts as an immediate order until court. The Magistrates Court can then make a temporary protection order at the first mention, usually within days or a couple of weeks, and that protection holds until the final hearing.
What’s the difference between a protection order and a temporary protection order?
A temporary protection order protects you while the case is still before the court. A final protection order is made after the court decides the application, and in Queensland it usually lasts five years. Both are fully enforceable, and breaching either is a criminal offence.
Do I need a lawyer for a DVO in Brisbane?
You’re not required to have one, and police run many applications. But a lawyer matters when the application is contested, when children or a shared home are involved, or when a family law dispute is running alongside. Conditions set carelessly at the DVO stage can make parenting arrangements unworkable for years.
What happens if I’ve been served with a DVO application?
Don’t ignore it, and don’t contact the aggrieved about it, even to give your side. Get advice before the first court date. Your options include consenting without admissions, negotiating conditions or contesting the application at hearing, and each has different consequences for your record, your weapons licence and your family law matter.
How much does a DVO lawyer cost in Brisbane?
Your first consultation is free, and we’ll give you a written estimate before any work starts. A matter that resolves by consent early costs much less than a contested final hearing. We offer fixed fees where possible, plus payment plans and JustFund funding for eligible clients.
Is coercive control a crime in Queensland?
Yes. Hannah’s Law made coercive control a standalone criminal offence in Queensland from 2025, carrying up to 14 years’ imprisonment. It targets patterns of physical or non-physical abuse used to control another person, including financial abuse, isolation and intimidation. If this is happening to you, it’s both grounds for a DVO and potentially a criminal matter for police.