Litigation lawyers resolve civil disputes through negotiation, mediation and court.
firms
1,867
regions
16
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They assess prospects, costs and risks, and choose the most efficient path to resolution.
Why litigation & dispute resolution matters
Disputes are expensive and stressful. A clear strategy from the start controls cost and risk.
The Australian context
Civil disputes are heard in state local, district and supreme courts depending on value, and in federal courts for federal matters. Courts encourage alternative dispute resolution and have overarching duties to resolve disputes justly and quickly.
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Ormeau, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(54)Google rating from 54 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Ormeau Legal Solicitors provides legal services in Ormeau, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southbank, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(54)Google rating from 54 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tolhurst Druce & Emmerson provides legal services in Southbank, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cairns Family Law Group provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Property Settlement · Mediation & Dispute Resolution2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Logan & Partners provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mclaren Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Southern Vales Legal provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property SettlementFree first consult
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Broadmeadows, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.1(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Broadmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Avid Law provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroubra, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Benchmark Lawyers provides legal services in Maroubra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Strata & Body Corporate · Planning & Environment · Citizenship
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Sandy Bay, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Paula Sutherland & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Sandy Bay, TAS. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Trio Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Family Law · Employment Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barry J R Wilson & David B Wilson provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Elder Law & Aged Care · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers - Mount Waverley provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Insolvency & Restructuring · Planning & Environment
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Preston, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lakey Family Law and Mediation provides legal services in Preston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Melbourne Law Studio provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Nurture Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cannonvale, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
PD Law provides legal services in Cannonvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Competition & Consumer Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Purcell Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Townsville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Criminal Law · Family Law · Personal Injury
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Browns Plains, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Steindl Bradley & Associates provides legal services in Browns Plains, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Stonegate Legal provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Building & Construction and Commercial Litigation.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Commercial Litigation · Debt Recovery · Insolvency & Restructuring · Personal Bankruptcy · Defamation · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Summers Legal provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Commercial Litigation · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Taperell Rutledge Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Boronia, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mackinnon Jacobs Horton & Irving provides legal services in Boronia, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Commercial Litigation
Understand the next step
A practical guide to litigation & dispute resolution
What to discuss at the first meeting
Set out the agreement or relationship, disputed facts and outcome sought. A first assessment should distinguish legal options from the commercial or practical value of pursuing them.
Agree on stages and review points rather than treating a first demand as a commitment to full litigation.
How the engagement may progress
01
Prepare a chronology, agreement or policy, important communications and a calculation of any claimed amount. Distinguish firsthand facts from assumptions.
02
Discuss negotiation, a complaint scheme, mediation, a tribunal or court. Ask which options are available for this particular matter.
03
Agree on a first step and a point to reassess progress and cost. Before settling, understand what claims would be released and how obligations would be recorded.
Fees and the scope of work
Request stages for advice, correspondence, negotiations and proceedings. Discuss filing, expert and barrister costs and any potential liability for another party’s costs.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Provide every demand, decision and court document with its date. Do not assume informal negotiations suspend a response or filing deadline.
Questions to ask a litigation & dispute resolution adviser
What is a proportionate first step?
What evidence and costs should be assessed before proceedings?
What evidence would change the assessment?
Is a complaint or dispute-resolution scheme available?
What are the practical costs and risks if agreement is not reached?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How long does litigation take?
From months for small claims to years for complex matters.
How much does going to court cost?
It depends on the court, the complexity and how far the matter goes. Ask for a written estimate for each stage, and remember that the losing party often pays part of the winner's costs.
Can I sue for defamation?
Possibly, if a publication identified you and caused or is likely to cause serious harm to your reputation. There are defences and strict time limits, usually one year from publication.
Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
