An Apprehended Violence Order (often referred to as an 'AVO') is an order made by a Court to prevent physical violence, stalking, harassment and intimidation of someone who is considered to be in need of protection.

The majority of AVO applications are made by the Police after they are called to attend a domestic dispute.

Police must apply for an AVO if they believe a domestic violence offence has been committed or is likely to be committed.

A private individual can also apply for an AVO against another person. AVO applications can be successfully defended, particularly AVO applications made by private individuals.

An AVO application is not a criminal proceeding but breaching an AVO is a serious criminal offence.

It is therefore essential to get expert legal advice if the Police or a private individual have applied for an AVO against you.

North Shore Criminal Law regularly appears on Apprehended Violence Order hearings and we can advise you:

• How you can defend an AVO application
• When an AVO can be made
• Who is protected by an AVO
• What to do if you have been accused of breaching AVO
• How to vary the duration of an AVO
• Criminal records and AVOs
• the Local Court process when an Apprehended Violence Order is applied for
• Appeals to the District Court