Family Law Domestic Violence & Intervention Orders

Domestic violence occurs in many relationships across diverse backgrounds and may involve long term abuse or an isolated event. In cases where there have been threats, abuse or physical violence, a party can apply for an intervention order or may have been served with an intervention order. Domestic violence laws exist to protect the victims of domestic violence, but it’s important to seek the right advice from IVO lawyers in Melbourne.

An intervention order in a family or domestic situation is called a family violence intervention order, and this can be for adults or children.

If you are considering an intervention order, or have received a summons, a family lawyer can assist you. It is recommended to get help and advice from intervention order lawyers in Melbourne, as this is often a part of other family law disputes involving divorce, separation or children custody matters.

If you have received a summons, it is most important to obtain legal advice from an intervention order lawyer. You have a right to respond, and the effect of the order can be for a long period of time and prevent you from seeing your children or moving around freely.

How Do I Apply for an Intervention Order?

To apply for a family violence intervention order, you will need to apply to the court. The application form you are required to complete is detailed. In some circumstances, it may be that the police make the application if they are called to a home where someone has been abused.

The application will detail who is going to be protected by the order (this often includes children) and details of why you need the order. You will need to cover if the respondent has a firearm or if there are any other threats that are associated with the respondent.

You may also seek an interim intervention order if you are in immediate danger.

Once the order has been filed, you will have an interview with a court registrar. They are not a judge but will help with the application process through the court.

Once a court date is set, the other side will need to be served with a summons to attend court. If you have received a summons, you should seek advice from an intervention order lawyer in Melbourne before responding to the application for an intervention order.

If An Intervention Order is Made

If the court grants an intervention order, it will prevent you from having contact with those in the order. This may include your children. The order is usually for a specified period of time and it will be specific about what the respondent can and cannot do.

An order from a court is serious, and if you breach any court order including an intervention order, it is punishable as a criminal offence. Some have ended up in jail for breaching an intervention order.

Can I Defend An Intervention Order?

To defend an intervention order, you must attend court to dispute the allegations. An applicant must prove that the violence has taken place and there is a continuing risk.

It is important to seek advice from a domestic violence lawyer promptly, as this will give you more time to prepare your response to the application. It is also important not to underestimate the consequences of having an intervention order placed against you and how this will impact you. It will also potentially have an effect on your children.

If you need to apply for an intervention order or have received a summons, our IVO lawyers are fully experienced in assisting with family law domestic violence matters. We provide concise legal advice and work hard to obtain the best outcomes for our clients.

Contact our domestic violence lawyers in Melbourne on 1300 907 335 or complete an enquiry form on our website and we will contact you shortly. Your enquiry and information will be private and confidential.