Family law and domestic violence lawyers across QueenslandFrom Brisbane to Kingaroy, we’ve got you.

It depends on the type of matter. The Magistrates Court hears protection order (DVO) applications, breaches of protection orders and bail applications, and it is where most domestic violence related criminal charges start. More serious criminal offences go on to the District Court after starting in the Magistrates Court. Family law matters, such as parenting, property and divorce, are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. We will tell you which court your matter is in and what to expect there.

We regularly appear in Brisbane and surrounds (Brisbane, Pine Rivers, Sandgate, Redcliffe, Cleveland, Beenleigh and Ipswich), on the Gold Coast (Southport), and on the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay (Maroochydore, Caloundra, Noosa, Gympie and Kingaroy). We also help clients with matters heard elsewhere in Queensland.

In most cases, yes. Family law is federal law, so the same rules apply wherever you live in Queensland, and parenting, property and divorce matters are run through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Many family law hearings take place by phone or video, so we can appear for you in most, if not all, locations without anyone needing to travel. Your free conference is by phone or Teams too, so where you live does not limit who you can choose as your lawyer.

Queensland has Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Courts in Brisbane, Beenleigh, Southport, Cairns, Townsville (including a Palm Island circuit) and Mount Isa. They hear protection order applications, and related criminal matters, with magistrates, prosecutors and support services that focus on domestic violence. Our team has experience appearing in all of them.

Protection order hearings are not open to the public. Only the people involved, their lawyers and support people the court allows can be present, and it is an offence to publish information that identifies the people involved. The specialist courts have security officers and safety-focused facilities. Tell us, or the registry, before your court date if you need a safe waiting area or other arrangements, so they can be organised.

Please arrive at court by about 8:30am. You will go through a security check at the entrance, a bit like at an airport. Court usually starts at 9am or 9:30am, depending on the location. We will meet you at about 8:45am in a private conference room. We are often there earlier, speaking with police prosecutions, the registry or the other party’s lawyer, so when we come to you we can explain what will happen, confirm your instructions and answer your questions. We appear in court on your behalf and do all the talking. Afterwards, we explain what happened and the next steps. If you did not attend, we call you after court to update you.

In the Magistrates Court, the magistrate sits at the front of the courtroom on a raised bench, with court staff just below. The lawyers, and sometimes a police prosecutor, sit at the bar table facing the magistrate, and you sit behind us or nearby. Matters are called one at a time, so there can be some waiting. If going into the courtroom feels too uncomfortable, you may not need to come in, and we will talk this through with you beforehand. Try not to worry. We will be with you and guide you through each step.

Contact us as soon as you can and have your paperwork ready, including the court date, the order or Police Protection Direction and any conditions. We can explain what the next step is, what the deadlines are and what you need to do before your court date. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

No. We help clients right across Queensland. Your free conference and most of our day-to-day contact happen by phone or Teams, so you can speak with us from home, work or anywhere you feel safe. When your matter goes to court, we regularly appear in 13 courts from the Gold Coast to Kingaroy, and we can help with matters heard elsewhere in Queensland too.

You book a time that suits you, and we call you by phone or Teams. A senior solicitor listens to what has happened and explains where you stand in plain English. If you have court papers, a protection order, a Police Protection Direction or key dates, have them handy. You will leave knowing your options and, if you would like our help, a fixed fee quote. There is no obligation to go ahead.

Your free conference is by phone or Teams, whichever suits you. Once you have signed our cost agreement and we are working on your matter, we often meet in person, for example at a conference with your barrister or at court.

Yes. You are welcome to have a support person with you during your conference, whether that is a friend, family member or support worker. Just let us know when you book.

Yes. Tell us the safest way and time to reach you, such as a particular phone number, email address or time of day, and we will use it. You can use the Quick Exit button on every page to leave our website quickly. If it is not safe to talk, a support worker or someone you trust can contact us for you.

Yes. Family law and domestic violence matters often involve people living in different areas. We work with you wherever you live in Queensland, and we appear in the court where your matter is listed. Tell us where each person lives and where any court papers were filed, and we will explain how that affects your matter.

We give you a fixed fee for each stage of your matter, agreed before any work starts, so you know the cost before each stage begins. You pay in stages, not one big bill at the end. If your matter changes, we talk to you first. See our pricing.

No. Elysian Law is a private, fee-paying firm and we do not accept Legal Aid Queensland grants. We offer a free 30-minute conference and fixed fees paid in stages, so you know the cost before each stage begins.