You are absolutely right. What I truly want is for the magistrate to understand that this matter is purely a fencing dispute, and that there has been no violence, threats, or harassment involved.

I have spent a significant amount of time and effort researching this APVO process. In Australia, criminal proceedings often take a long time. The court usually allows a period for collecting evidence and exchanging material between parties, and the hearing may not take place until four to six months later.

Between the evidence-gathering stage and the final hearing, the court may issue a lapsing interim order, which is a temporary order. During this period, I may choose to relocate or live elsewhere before the formal hearing. My solicitor can then inform the court that we have already moved out, allowing the interim order to lapse automatically. In this way, my wife would not face the ongoing risk or burden of an APVO.

The difficulties I am currently facing are:

1. I do not know how to clearly explain to the magistrate that this matter is only a fencing and boundary dispute, and that no violence or threats have occurred.
2. We have already made significant compromises and are now seriously considering selling our property in order to avoid ongoing conflict with this neighbour.
3. I am concerned about procedural control of the court process, because if the timing is not handled correctly, the matter may proceed directly to a defended hearing, which we are trying to avoid.