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.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution lawyers in Australia

Lawyers Directory AustraliaAustralian legal directory

Curae Law

Perth, WA · Perth CBD

4.5(82)

Curae Law provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.

Wills & Estates+7 more

(08) 9220 4444 WebsiteEst. 1997Profile ›

Gibbs Wright Litigation Lawyers

Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD

4.8(82)

Top rated

Gibbs Wright Litigation Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Professional Negligence.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

MacDonald Law

Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs

4.0(82)

MacDonald Law provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Wills & Estates.

Family Law+7 more

(07) 4638 9433 Website

Aughtersons Solicitors

Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne

4.4(81)

Aughtersons Solicitors provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.

Property & Conveyancing+7 more

Farrar Gesini Dunn

Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD

4.7(81)

Farrar Gesini Dunn provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.

Family Law+7 more

(03) 8376 7000 Website

Matthies Lawyers

South Yarra, VIC · Eastern Melbourne

4.9(81)

Top rated

Matthies Lawyers provides legal services in South Yarra, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.

Family Law

Honest Grace Legal

Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD

5.0(80)

Top rated

Honest Grace Legal provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.

Family Law+7 more

CMI Legal

Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches

4.8(79)

Top rated

CMI Legal provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.

Immigration & Visas+7 more

El Baba Lawyers

Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney

4.8(79)

Top rated

El Baba Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Criminal Law.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 more

Hillcrest Family Lawyers

Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney

5.0(79)

Top rated

Hillcrest Family Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.

Family Law+7 more

Kennedy Guy Lawyers Sunshine

Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne

4.7(79)

Kennedy Guy Lawyers Sunshine provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.

Business & Commercial Law+7 more

(03) 9311 8511 Website

Marcou & Associates Family Lawyers

Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne

4.7(79)

Marcou & Associates Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.

Family Law+6 more

(03) 9312 0039 Website

DSA Law

Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD

4.8(76)

Top rated

DSA Law provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 more

Holt Ronan Lawyers

Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast

4.9(76)

Top rated

Holt Ronan Lawyers provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.

Property & Conveyancing+3 more

Joseph Grassi + Associates

Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney

4.9(76)

Top rated

Joseph Grassi + Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.

Property & Conveyancing+7 more

Lawpoint

Kogarah, NSW · Southern Sydney

4.7(76)

Lawpoint provides legal services in Kogarah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.

Property & Conveyancing+7 more

(02) 9517 1887 Website

SPG Lawyers

Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast

4.6(76)

SPG Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.

Property & Conveyancing+7 more

(07) 5538 2277 Website

Corestone Lawyers

Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney

5.0(75)

Top rated

Corestone Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.

Business & Commercial Law+7 more

Olivetree Legal

Mount Martha, VIC · Mornington Peninsula

5.0(74)

Top rated

Olivetree Legal provides legal services in Mount Martha, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.

Wills & Estates+6 more

Scott Legal

Tarneit, VIC · Western Melbourne

4.7(73)

Scott Legal provides legal services in Tarneit, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.

Business & Commercial Law+7 more

0409 123 945 Website

Victoria Legal Aid

Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne

3.4(73)

Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.

Family Law+7 more

Z5 Legal

Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD

5.0(73)

Top rated

Z5 Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Franchising.

Business & Commercial Law+7 more

Croy Legal

Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast

4.8(72)

Top rated

Croy Legal provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.

Property & Conveyancing+7 more

Harbour Law

NSW · Mid North Coast

5.0(72)

Top rated

Harbour Law provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.

Wills & Estates+3 moreNo win, no fee

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

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.

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.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution lawyers

Why litigation & dispute resolution matters

The Australian context

Litigation & Dispute Resolution lawyers near you

1,867 litigation & dispute resolution firms

Curae Law

Gibbs Wright Litigation Lawyers

MacDonald Law

Aughtersons Solicitors

Farrar Gesini Dunn

Matthies Lawyers

Honest Grace Legal

CMI Legal

El Baba Lawyers

Hillcrest Family Lawyers

Kennedy Guy Lawyers Sunshine

Marcou & Associates Family Lawyers

DSA Law

Holt Ronan Lawyers

Joseph Grassi + Associates

Lawpoint

SPG Lawyers

Corestone Lawyers

Olivetree Legal

Scott Legal

Victoria Legal Aid

Z5 Legal

Croy Legal

Harbour Law

A practical guide to litigation & dispute resolution

What to discuss at the first meeting

How the engagement may progress

Fees and the scope of work

Dates to raise at first contact

Questions to ask a litigation & dispute resolution adviser

Frequently asked questions

More in Disputes & Litigation

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