Government & Public Law · South West
1 administrative & government law firm in South West, Western Australia, including Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River.
1 firm
Busselton, WA · South West
Sou' West Legal Services provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Administrative & Government Law and Wills & Estates.
They advise on merits review, judicial review and freedom of information.
Government decisions affect licences, benefits and rights. Review can correct errors and unfair outcomes.
Federal decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal and, for legal errors, by the Federal Court. States have their own tribunals and judicial review processes, plus freedom of information laws.
Understand the next step
Identify the decision-maker, decision and date of notification. Ask whether the issue concerns merits, procedure, legal authority or a service complaint.
A complaint and a formal review may have different effects and deadlines.
Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River are separate starting points in the South West. For land or business work, explain whether the issue concerns ownership, a proposed transaction, a lease or an existing dispute.
For administrative & government law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant WA experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South West. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Keep the complete notice, reasons and review information. Record when and how the decision was received.
Ask whether internal review, a tribunal, complaint or court process is available. The Administrative Review Tribunal reviews specified Commonwealth decisions, not every government matter.
Identify evidence relevant to the disputed findings and ask how the agency file can be obtained. Clarify the result the reviewer can provide.
Clarify charges for advice, submissions, appearances and reports. Ask about legal aid or specialist assistance where appropriate.
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.
Give the decision and receipt dates immediately. A general complaint may not preserve an opportunity to seek formal review.
Western Australia is the only state with its own family court: the Family Court of Western Australia hears parenting and property matters for both married and de facto couples. Other matters start in the Magistrates Court, with the District and Supreme Courts for serious cases, and the State Administrative Tribunal for planning, guardianship and many licensing reviews. Lawyers are admitted and regulated by the Legal Practice Board.
Good to know
A court review of whether a government decision was made lawfully.
Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Family law matters are heard by the Family Court of Western Australia.
Practising certificates in Western Australia are managed by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.
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.