Legal Assistance
Do you have a legal problem? Court Help Australia can help you understand the options available to you and help you work out what to do next. While a private lawyer can assist you in your legal matter, you may be able to use other services that are free or low-cost.
ORGANISATIONS
FREE/LOW COST
FREE/LOW COST
These services are generally able to provide initial
advice or information to anyone for free
PRIVATE LAWYER
PRIVATE LAWYER
Lawyers are experts at what they do. Their services will have a larger fee.
Ombudsmen, service commissioners,
government schemes ...
A number of different organisations offer services for your legal matter but only operate in limited dispute areas.
These services are typically free, but you will commonly involve you showing that you have attempted to fix the issue yourself first.
There are many organisations set up to help you resolve a dispute as quickly and efficiently as possible without having to go to court.
Each organisation usually specialises in a specific area. For example, the Fair Work Ombudsman assists with disputes about employment.
Some government organisations deal with a range of different areas, such as Consumer Affairs Victoria, which oversees various issues affecting consumers and businesses.
These services are independent, confidential and generally free. But you usually have to show that you have tried to resolve the problem yourself first.
See below for a few Victorian services and accompanying links:
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Provides information and advice to help consumers and businesses resolve problems with the purchase of goods and services in Victoria. Can also help with renting, buying and selling a home, scams, product safety and other issues
Health Complaints Commissioner
Resolves complaints about health services and the handling of health records.
Privacy
Investigates complaints about breaches of privacy and conducts reviews of freedom of information decisions made by Victorian government agencies
Victorian Small Business Commission
Resolves commercial disputes for small and medium businesses. Investigates complaints regarding unfair market practices.
Public Transport Ombudsman
Independent dispute resolution service for consumers with complaints about Victorian public transport.
Financial Ombudsman
Service Australia
A free, independent dispute resolution service for consumers and some small businesses with banking, insurance, financial planning, brokering and investment disputes.
Energy and Water Ombudsman
Resolves disputes between Victorians and their energy and water companies.
Legal Services
Investigates and attempts to resolve complaints against lawyers and disputes between lawyers and clients.
Victorian Ombudsman
Investigates actions and decisions of Victorian government departments and agencies, statutory authorities and local government
Fair Work Ombudsman
Gives people information and advice about workplace rights and obligations, and helps them to resolve workplace issues
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Receives investigates and helps to resolve complaints about discrimination, sexual harassment, and racial and religious vilification.
Free or low-cost legal services
There are various free or low-cost legal services that can assist you with your legal matter. Many will provide you with free legal advice or information. If not they are often able to refer you to someone who can!
Victoria Legal Aid, community legal centres and Justice Connect are among some of the free or low-cost legal services that can provide legal advice or information to anyone. See below for various different support methods to help you with your legal problem.
Private Lawyer
There are various free or low-cost legal services that can assist you with your legal matter. Many will provide you with free legal advice or information. If not they are often able to refer you to someone who can!
Using a private lawyer is one way of getting the legal
help you need.
If you want to use a private lawyer, you’ll need to find
one who is experienced in dealing with your kind of
problem.
Shop around. Speak to a couple of different lawyers and
compare their services and fees. Only use a lawyer you
feel comfortable with and can afford.
If you are unclear about the advice given to you, you can
ask to have it explained in a way that you understand.
The Law Institute of Victoria provides referrals to law
firms across Victoria. Law firms included in the Find
Your Lawyer Referral Service provide a free 30-minute
inquiry interview.
