Litigation lawyers resolve civil disputes through negotiation, mediation and court.
firms
1,867
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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.
Allen & Overy provides legal services in Perth Cbd, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Insolvency & Restructuring.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Administrative & Government Law · Human Rights & Discrimination · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: german
Allens provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Partner & Family Visas and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Fraud & White Collar Crime2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: korean
Alter Marcel provides legal services in Hawthorn East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Building & Construction
Andrew Wallace Legal (AW Legal) provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Family Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing
Anthony R Clarke & Associates provides legal services in Applecross, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Property Settlement.
Apel I provides legal services in South Yarra, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Insolvency & Restructuring · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Banking & Finance2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian
Ardent Lawyers provides legal services in St Georges Basin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Arthur E George & Sons provides legal services in Port Fairy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Ashurst provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Intellectual Property & Trade Marks.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Partner & Family Visas · Product Liability · Property & Conveyancing · Competition & Consumer Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law4 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, german, french
Manly Vale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Atkinson Vinden provides legal services in Manly Vale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Aubrey Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law
Aubrey F Crawley & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
AUL Law provides legal services in North Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Commercial Litigation
Australia Debt Recovery provides legal services in Cronulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Debt Recovery, Business & Commercial Law and Partner & Family Visas.
Debt Recovery+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Strata & Body Corporate · Insolvency & Restructuring · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Australian Family Lawyers provides legal services in Narellan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+4 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
Australian Law Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Tingalpa, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Morningside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Australian Law Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
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.
