What to look for in legal advice

Usually when you are looking for legal advice, you want to have a lawyer who understands what you are trying to achieve and has a thorough knowledge of the area of law in which you need assistance. This means that you will need to do some shopping around and research before you settle on a lawyer who you will develop a long term relationship with.

Who can get legal advice?

We give legal advice about financial or business matters, such as taxation or commercial law, buying property, superannuation law, or intellectual property law.

Can I get an interpreter or other communication assistance?

Legal words are sometimes hard to understand. If you would like to have an interpreter to help you, tell us when you call us. We will arrange for an interpreter by phone or in person.

What do I need to do before seeing a lawyer?

Before seeing a lawyer you should:

1. Work out what you want help with (remember you only have a short amount of time with the lawyer)
2. Collect and bring paperwork (for example your summons, court orders, letters from government agency)
3. Let us know if you need an interpreter so we can arrange this for you find out where you need to go, so you turn up on time
make sure you have enough time – you may need to wait a bit before seeing a lawyer.

How long will I get to spend with the lawyer?

When you go for a consultation with a lawyer, the amount of time you get to spend with a lawyer will depend on your legal matter. Longer sessions are available for people with special circumstances, such as if you need an interpreter. As the time is limited, our lawyers may not be able to read all of your paperwork or help you with a complex legal issues.

What if I need more help?

If you need more legal help, you may need to engage a lawyer on a long term basis.