Frequently Asked Questions

A Free Case Evaluation is a 15-minute free phone call with an experienced Solicitor that is best matched to your type of enquiry. In this call it will be identified how we can help you and next steps required to progress your matter. This is an obligation free, complimentary phone call.

You can call us on 1300 553 343 or complete a Free Case Evaluation request form.

At the end of the Free Case Evaluation your Solicitor will advise in writing what is required in order for us to start work on your matter. This will generally include signing a Legal Services Agreement, depositing money into our Trust Account, providing documentation for review by the Solicitor, or perhaps scheduling a face to face or zoom appointment.

We will strive to ensure that right from the start and throughout the duration of your matter you will be kept aware of:

• The actions we will take on your behalf,
• The steps you need to take,
• Any information you need to supply to us,
• The timing involved and when delays may occur, and
• A clear indication of the costs.

A Trust Account is a bank account in which we hold money on your behalf, usually as a deposit for the payment of future Invoices.  We are not permitted to use this money unless certain conditions are met.  Most law firms use a Trust Account to assist to manage the payment of legal costs.

• At the beginning of your matter,
• At intervals throughout your matter once the amount you have deposited into our Trust Account has already been used to pay Invoices and is not enough to cover the next stage of work, and
• For specific purposes, such as for payment to your former partner under Court orders or an agreement, or expenses we will need to pay on your behalf.

We request that you deposit money into our Trust Account so that we can be certain that we will be paid for the work you have instructed us to do and/or so that we are not out-of-pocket for the expenses we pay to others on your behalf (e.g. Search fees, valuation fees, stamp duty, barristers’ fees).

Money held in our Trust Account is held on your behalf. Subject to any lien we hold over the money to secure payment of our fees, money held in our Trust Account will be paid at your direction at any time. Upon completion of your matter and payment of our fees, money held in our Trust Account will, therefore, be paid to you or as you direct.

In most cases, yes. We typically require that you have both signed the Legal Services Agreement with us and deposited the requested funds into our Trust Account before commencing work on your behalf.

The amount of money required to be paid in advance will be based on our estimate of costs work initially to be undertaken. This will be discussed with your Solicitor during your free case evaluation and confirmed in an Engagement Letter.

A lot of factors are considered when pairing your enquiry with one of our Solicitors, however put simply, the Solicitor allocated to your matter will be one with the appropriate knowledge and skill to best assist you.

You will only need to pay money into the Office Account if you have an Invoice due where the amount is greater than the funds we have held for you in Trust.

All communication with our lawyers will be over the phone and email. Important correspondence will be contained in letters as PDF attachments to emails. This includes invoices. It is essential that you take the time to read all correspondence received by your lawyer and contact your legal team should you have any questions, require clarification, or need further information in order to understand.