Canberra
Disputes & Litigation lawyers in Canberra
Litigation lawyers resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation and court, from contract claims and debts to defamation and insurance disputes.
41 firms
Canberra
Litigation lawyers resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation and court, from contract claims and debts to defamation and insurance disputes.
41 firms
Deakin, ACT · Canberra
Snedden Hall & Gallop provides legal services in Deakin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Chamberlains Law Firm provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Class Actions.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
McPherson Christina provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Griffin Legal provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Not-for-Profit & Charity Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Capital Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Shine Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Class Actions and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Forrest, ACT · Canberra
Boettcher Law – Uwe Boettcher provides legal services in Forrest, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Gil-Jones Barker provides legal services in Turner, ACT. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Chapman & Smyth Family Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Ashurst provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Intellectual Property & Trade Marks.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Badgery & Rafferty provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Belconnen, ACT · Canberra
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Belconnen, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Certus Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Yarralumla, NSW · Canberra
Lexicon Lawyers provides legal services in Yarralumla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
NSW · Canberra
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Canberra City, ACT · Canberra
Mark Fleming Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra City, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Intellectual Property & Trade Marks.
Yarralumla, NSW · Canberra
Snedden Hall & Gallop provides legal services in Yarralumla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Most disputes settle before trial. A litigation lawyer's first job is to tell you honestly how strong your case is and what it will cost to pursue, then find the fastest route to a good outcome, whether that's a letter, a mediation or proceedings. Smaller claims are often handled in local courts or state tribunals where costs are lower. For larger matters, ask about the likely cost of each stage and the risk of paying the other side's costs if you lose.
Unresolved disputes drain time, money and relationships. A clear strategy controls cost and risk.
Civil disputes are heard in state and federal courts and tribunals, with a strong emphasis on mediation and early resolution.
Understand the next step
A demand, unpaid account, insurance decision or disagreement over professional work can require different strategies. Identify the outcome sought and supporting evidence. The amount involved, other party’s position and cost of pursuing the matter all affect a proportionate approach.
A Canberra address does not automatically mean ACT law is the only law involved. Commonwealth decisions, workplace matters and transactions involving nearby NSW can require different experience and procedures.
For disputes & litigation, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant ACT experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Canberra. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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
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.
Ask for the reasons in writing and use the insurer's internal complaints process. You can then take the dispute to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, which is free, or get legal advice on court action.