Domestic Violence–Related Practice Areas
Domestic violence can affect many parts of a person’s life, from day-to-day safety to parenting, housing, immigration, and finances. Lawyers may work in different practice areas that touch these issues in different ways. This page gives a high-level overview of common practice areas you may see on DVLawyers.ca.
Protection Orders & Restraining Orders
Some lawyers focus on applications for protection orders or restraining orders. They may help with:
- Preparing court documents requesting a civil protection order
- Explaining what conditions a court may consider (for example, no-contact or limits on communication)
- Responding if you have been served with an order and want to understand your options
You can read more about these topics in the guide Domestic Violence Restraining Orders or the overview on Legal Rights & Protection Orders.
Family Law & Parenting Issues
Family-law practice often includes separation, divorce, parenting time, decision-making responsibility, child support, and spousal support. Where there is a history of abuse, people sometimes ask family-law lawyers to help them:
- Explain how domestic violence may be considered in parenting decisions
- Prepare court materials for family court or settlement conferences
- Develop parenting plans, safety-focused schedules, or supervised contact arrangements
For a general overview, see Family Court Process and Child Custody & Domestic Violence.
Child Protection & Child Welfare
In some situations a child-protection agency becomes involved when they receive reports about conflict, violence, or safety concerns in a home. Lawyers working in this practice area may:
- Advise parents or caregivers about their rights and responsibilities
- Attend child-protection court hearings
- Explain case plans, supervision orders, or out-of-home placements
Criminal Law & Related Matters
Criminal-law lawyers may be involved where there are criminal charges such as assault, uttering threats, criminal harassment, or breaches of court orders. They can sometimes help people who are:
- Facing charges and want to better understand the process
- Complaining witnesses who are being asked to testify
- Seeking clarity around bail conditions or no-contact orders connected to criminal cases
For a broader explanation of criminal-law processes, see Criminal Court Overview and Criminal Charges in Domestic Violence Cases.
Immigration & Status Issues
When immigration or refugee status is involved, domestic violence can raise additional questions about sponsorship, conditional status, or applications based on risk and safety. Immigration lawyers who understand domestic-violence dynamics may help clarify:
- Options if a relationship with a sponsor has broken down
- How certain court orders or charges may interact with immigration processes
- When it may be appropriate to speak with an immigration advisor or lawyer
You can read more in the guide Immigration Law and Domestic Violence.
Finding Lawyers Who Match Your Situation
Many people start by browsing locations and reading about local lawyers’ main practice areas. You can use the directory to look at lawyers by province, territory, or city and then contact them to ask whether they handle your specific type of matter.
- Browse the main directory at Lawyers Near Me
- Explore provinces and territories
- Review general guides under Legal Guides
This website is informational only. For tailored advice about your situation, it is important to speak directly with a qualified lawyer or legal clinic in your area.