Legal Project Management Plan & Checklist
Purpose of this Guide: Use this plan when your client is an Affected Family Member (AFM) seeking to vary, extend, or revoke an active Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) in Victoria. This step-by-step roadmap guides practitioners through conflict checking, MARAM risk assessments, VLA funding applications, drafting via the Magistrates' Court CMS Portal, executing declarations of truth, and representing the client at mentions and contested hearings. Verify current guidelines on the official Victorian Legislation. Access services via the Victorian Courts.
Jurisdiction: Magistrates' Court of Victoria (or Children's Court of Victoria if the applicant is a minor). Governed by Part 4, Division 8 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic). Forks cover respondent-initiated leave applications under section 109 and police-initiated FVSN conversion proceedings. Verify current guidelines on the official Victorian Legislation.
Review the active order and conduct a MARAM risk assessment. Reconcile active family law parenting orders to prevent conflicting conditions. Draft and file the application along with the Declaration of Truth via the CMS Portal. Serve the respondent via police. Attend the mention to request an interim extension order if protection is at risk. If contested, file and serve the Further Details of Allegations within the court-directed timetable. Represent the client at the contested final hearing. Download the sealed order and verify LEAP database updates. Verify current guidelines on the official . Access services via the .
Use this fork when representing a respondent who is applying to vary or revoke an active Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) in Victoria. This step-by-step roadmap covers satisfying the section 109 leave gateway, gathering behaviour change program certificates, calculating the absent respondent 21-day window, and representing the client at the contested leave and final hearings. Verify current guidelines on the official Victorian Legislation. Access services via the Victorian Courts.
Use this fork when representing an Affected Family Member (AFM) in a police-initiated Family Violence Safety Notice (FVSN) conversion proceeding in Victoria. This step-by-step roadmap guides advocates from immediate FVSN service through to first mention listing, drafting further details of allegations, and contested trial representation. Verify current guidelines on the official Victorian Legislation. Access services via the Victorian Courts.
Key Legislation and Case Law: Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) - s 100 (variation and revocation), s 106 (extension), s 107 (interim extension orders), s 108 and s 109 (standing and leave threshold for respondents), s 109(2A) (absent respondent 21-day window), s 113(a) (notification of former child protected persons, as amended), s 116 (appeals with non-extendable 30-day limit), s 123 and s 123A (contravention offences), s 153A (false Declaration of Truth is an indictable offence). Subject to progressive amendments under Act No. 5/2025 and Act No. 11/2025 modifying sections 100, 106, 109, and 110. Appeals are strictly non-extendable under s 116(2)(c) as confirmed in [Carroll v Browne [2021] VSC 253](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2021/253.html). Case management follows Practice Direction 1 of 2026 via the CMS Portal.
* Disclaimer: We're nobody's lawyer, because we aren't lawyers. You are, so you know better than to take legal advice from an app. We also aren't accountants or dog trainers - just digital spirit guides taking zero liability for any of this. This site exists to gather the collective knowledge of practitioners like you. Verify everything and submit your feedback on the Family Violence Intervention Order (Applicant) matter plan to improve the playbook. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, it's a request for input.
This legal matter plan provides a structured workflow for FAMILY_LAW cases, outlining the standard DISPUTE_LITIGATION process. Utilize these tracking templates to manage your legal cases efficiently.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.
Coordinate the collection and review of all financial documentation required for disclosure, including statements, valuations, and supporting schedules as mandated by the rules.
Conduct a thorough review of all filed materials to ensure compliance with court requirements, verify service obligations have been met, and prepare for the next procedural milestone.
Assess the strategic considerations for interim applications, prepare supporting evidence, and draft the necessary documentation for urgent or time-sensitive relief sought.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.