Client's Rights

Consumer Rights

All practicing solicitors in New South Wales and Victoria are subject to the Legal

Profession Uniform Law, which sets out a range of obligations for lawyers and law

practices regarding professional conduct, trust accounting and costs disclosure. It

also establishes regulatory authorities to handle complaints and oversee compliance.

Legal Profession Uniform Law

As a client, you have important rights under this legislation, including:

- The right to make a complaint to the relevant regulatory authority if you are

dissatisfied with the conduct of your lawyer or law practice. The authority will

investigate your complaint independently.

- The right to apply for compensation from a statutory fund if you suffer a financial

loss due to a lawyer's or law practice's failure to account for trust money properly.

- The right to access documents relating to your matter held by your lawyer or law

practice. Subject to limited exceptions, you are entitled to inspect and copy these

records.

- The right to be informed upfront about the costs involved in your matter, including

legal fees and other expenses. Your lawyer or law practice must provide this

information to you as soon as practical.

- The right to receive an itemised bill of costs from your lawyer or law practice,

detailing the legal fees and other charges.

- The right to seek an independent costs assessment if you are unhappy with the

amount you have been charged. A costs assessor will review your bill to determine if

it is fair and reasonable.

Once you have decided to engage our firm to represent your interests, a contract

detailing our agreed services, your costs and the above rights will be sent to you.

We encourage you to thoroughly review that document and contact our firm with any

questions.

help/your-rights-and-responsibilities