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.
Why disputes matters
Unresolved disputes drain time, money and relationships. A clear strategy controls cost and risk.
The Australian context
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 practical guide to disputes & litigation in Northern Rivers
Choosing the right kind of assistance
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.
Working with a firm in Northern Rivers
For matters involving Tweed Heads and Queensland, ask about cross-border experience. A nearby office is not enough to establish whether a lawyer can advise on property, proceedings or a business on the other side of the border.
For disputes & litigation, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Northern Rivers. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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 disputes & litigation adviser
What evidence would change the assessment?
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
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.
My insurer rejected my claim. What now?
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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingscliff, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Kingscliff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Employment Law · DefamationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maclean, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mark Vincent Glaser provides legal services in Maclean, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Contract Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Contract Law · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Randall Legal provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Coronial Inquests, Criminal Law and Administrative & Government Law.
Coronial Inquests+7 moreCriminal Law · Administrative & Government Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stacks Law Firm provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Defamation · Personal InjuryNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Byron Bay, 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 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingscliff, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Kingscliff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Employment Law · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
S+ P Lawyers provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Commercial Property & Leasing · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Murwillumbah, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
GOODLAW provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Personal Injury and Property & Conveyancing.
General Practice (regional generalist)+8 morePersonal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nimbin, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Nimbin Law Solicitors & Conveyancers provides legal services in Nimbin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Corporate Law & M&A
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Twomey Dispute Lawyers provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Defamation and Partner & Family Visas.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreDefamation · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Litigation · Building & Construction · Debt Recovery · Insolvency & Restructuring
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Gerard Malouf & Partners (GMP Law) Parramatta provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Public Liability and Medical Negligence.
Personal Injury+7 morePublic Liability · Medical Negligence · Class Actions · Partner & Family Visas · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Product Liability · Professional NegligenceNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lennox Head, NSW · Northern Rivers
Baker Mannering & Hart incorporating SLL provides legal services in Lennox Head, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Elder Law & Aged Care · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
Joseph Legal provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Defamation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Personal Injury · Family Property SettlementNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Personal Injury · Family Property SettlementNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sharon Northam provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Franchising.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Franchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Family Law · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ONeills Law provides legal services in Kingscliff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Personal Injury · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Kyogle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hosie And Partners provides conveyancing services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Partner & Family Visas and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+4 morePartner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Capital Lawyers provides legal services in Federal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Personal Injury · Commercial Property & Leasing
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.
