Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers is a powerful female-founded law firm with a core value system that puts people first. Our reputation as the legal business of choice in New South Wales is recognised by our many awards.
The team at Coutts have the expertise and experience to stand behind you and give you legal advice in a language you understand... without the legal jargon.
Coutts welcomes the opportunity to help you start a business, purchase a business, or sell a business in Australia.
Coutts Commercial and Business team takes pride in providing comprehensive legal services to businesses of all sizes.
At Coutts, our legal team offer the best service in a time where you feel at odds with the law.
Coutts provide expert legal advice in all employment related matters for both employers and employees including, but not limited to the following key areas.
Coutts provide legal advice in all areas of family law including; property settlements, divorce settlements, all types of parenting matters and the drafting of binding financial agreements and binding child support agreements.
At Coutts, we understand the devastating impact personal injuries can have, not only in a physical capacity, but also your emotional, mental and financial well-being also.
The important role conveyancers plays when people are buying and selling of property.
Have you been called as a witness by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability? If so, you may be eligible to receive government funded legal representation.
A will is a legal document that specifies how you wish your assets and liabilities to be distributed following your death.
ARE YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN SUFFERING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? WE CAN HELP.
Coutts provides expert legal advice and assistance throughout the process of a domestic violence and family violence. Our team is highly experienced in handling the delicate and complex nature of domestic violence cases, from evacuation to court appearances, parenting orders and advice on Financial Abuse. Our approach to domestic and family violence is comprehensive, and we are committed to protecting the rights and well-being of our clients with compassion and precision.
Luisa Gaetani Partner & Accredited Specialist, Family Law
Domestic and family violence is behaviour that coerces, controls or causes a person to be afraid. The abuse can happen in different ways. You do not need to be physically hurt to have experienced domestic and family violence. Emotional, psychological and financial abuse also constitute domestic violence. Domestic and family violence is often about a pattern of behaviour that causes fear.
Everyone has a right to feel safe and to live free from violence, and the first step is always to call the police on 000 if you are feeling unsafe. Once you have reported the behaviour, you can begin to seek advice from trusted parties.
We want to assure you that at Coutts, your safety is our number 1 priority. We offer a range of flexible options to manage your matter discreetly, and appreciate the complexity and challenges that Domestic and Family Violence present in terms of safety.
Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers will deal with your Domestic Violence matter with empathy and compassion. We can provide assistance through orders, like Domestic Violence, to offer you protection. A Domestic Violence Order is an order that can protect a person from domestic and family violence by setting out rules that the other person must follow. It can help to keep you safe by making it illegal for that person to break those rules or to use or threaten to use domestic and family violence against you.
We can also make arrangements for any children after separation and put in place Parenting Orders to ensure that your children are protected at all times.
We can help through:
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsafe if you have been affected by domestic or family violence. Our team, from enquiry through to Court (if required) can assist you at each stage to ensure that you are offered safety and options at each stage of your matter.
Reach out to Coutts Lawyers via our website, phone, or in person. Briefly describe your matter.
Schedule and attend a meeting with a Coutts lawyer to discuss the specifics of your matter and desired outcomes.
Share all related documents and information. Your lawyer will review everything, clarify aspects as needed, and then advise on the best action course.
Based on the advice, an appropriate action plan will be formulated. This may involve communication, documentation processes, or further legal steps.
Execute the action plan, addressing a range of legal scenarios as necessary.
Navigate towards a resolution, with the path determined by the nature of the matter. Your Lawyer will outline any final actions or considerations.
Meet Luisa, a Partner at Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers, and an Accredited Family Law specialist. Luisa is the head of our esteemed Family Law team. Boasting over a decade of expertise, Luisa blends sensitivity with practicality, forging deep connections and trust with her clients. Her reputation as a foremost authority in Family Law is well-deserved and her personal blend of empathy, practicality and experience is what makes her a trusted source of help in times of crisis.
When offences occur in the context of a domestic relationship, the Courts in NSW take special considerations under section 4A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. The starting point for sentences in domestic violence matters is either full-time custodial sentence or supervision. The safety of the victim is the paramount concern, and the Courts must consider the potential effect of any alternate sentence on the victim’s safety before imposing an alternate to full-time custody.
No. Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), you don’t need to be legally divorced before dealing with property settlement or parenting arrangements. These can be addressed as soon as you separate. In fact, many people choose to finalise these issues early for stability and peace of mind. Divorce itself is a separate process that simply ends the marriage, whereas property and parenting matters can be resolved independently and well before the divorce order is made.
An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is made under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW). You can apply through the police (who can apply on your behalf in urgent cases) or directly at the Local Court. An AVO doesn’t prevent you from separating or divorcing, but it can provide vital protection during the process. It may also affect parenting arrangements under the Family Law Act 1975, as the court must take any history of family violence or AVOs into account when deciding what is in the children’s best interests.
The court’s top priority is the best interests of the child (Family Law Act 1975, section 60CC). Protecting children from physical or psychological harm, including exposure to family violence, is considered more important than maintaining a meaningful relationship with both parents. If there is a history of violence, the court may order supervised visits, restricted time, or in severe cases, no contact at all. Every case is assessed individually, but the law makes it clear that safety comes first.
Domestic and family violence is a critical factor in parenting decisions under the Family Law Act 1975. Section 60CC requires courts to prioritise the safety of children above all else. Exposure to violence — whether children experience it directly or simply witness it — is considered serious harm. This can lead to arrangements such as supervised visits, restricted communication, or in some cases, no contact with the abusive parent. The court will always seek to ensure children are protected while also providing stability and care.
We appreciate the complexity of Domestic Violence cases and understand that support can come from a variety of places, for a variety of requirements.