Disputes & Litigation
Litigation lawyers resolve civil disputes through negotiation, mediation and court.
They assess prospects, costs and risks, and choose the most efficient path to resolution.
Disputes are expensive and stressful. A clear strategy from the start controls cost and risk.
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.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution firms in the directory
1,867 firms
Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
Thexton Lawyers provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Franchising and Debt Recovery.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Tony Hargreaves & Partners Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Toowong, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Toowong Village Doctors provides legal services in Toowong, QLD. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Helensburgh, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Transitus Legal provides legal services in Helensburgh, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wollongbar, NSW · Northern Rivers
Trustee For The Scobie Family Trust The provides legal services in Wollongbar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
NSW · Northern Rivers
Trustee For The Scobie Family Trust The provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Surry Hills, NSW · Sydney CBD
Tully & Chiper Lawyers provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Corporate Law & M&A.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Whyalla, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Personal Injury and Wills & Estates.
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Toronto, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Toronto, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
Tyler Tipping and Woods provides legal services in Traralgon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Moe, VIC · Gippsland
Tyler Tipping and Woods provides legal services in Moe, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Moranbah, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
Wallace & Wallace Lawyers provides legal services in Moranbah, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
Western Suburbs Compensation Lawyers - McDonnell Schroder provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
West Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
William Roberts Lawyers provides legal services in West Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Lilydale, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Williams & Lay Lawyers provides legal services in Lilydale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Leichhardt, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Wong & Horta Lawyers provides legal services in Leichhardt, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
ZK Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Understand the next step
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.
Prepare a chronology, agreement or policy, important communications and a calculation of any claimed amount. Distinguish firsthand facts from assumptions.
Discuss negotiation, a complaint scheme, mediation, a tribunal or court. Ask which options are available for this particular matter.
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.
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.
Provide every demand, decision and court document with its date. Do not assume informal negotiations suspend a response or filing deadline.
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
From months for small claims to years for complex matters.
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.
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.
