Independent index. Editorial standard.

What we are

An independent index of admitted Australian lawyers. Every lawyer in the index has had their practising certificate cross-checked against the relevant state Law Society or Bar Association register. Reviews are matched to engagement records before publication or, where aggregated from third-party platforms, clearly labelled as such with the source attributed.

We index by practice area (family law, personal injury, conveyancing, criminal, wills & estates, migration) and by city (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and more) so consumers can find lawyers practising in their specific situation.

What we’re not

• We are not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Using this site does not create a lawyer–client relationship.
• We do not take a cut of any matter we refer.
• We do not auction enquiries. Lawyers pay published, fixed fees for accepted enquiries.
• We do not charge consumers. The site is free for the public.
• We do not run editorial /best/ rankings as a paid product. They’re editorial only.

Why we exist

Most Australians choose a lawyer in a crisis — separation, accident, charge, sudden death in the family. They search Google, read a few Yelp or Google reviews of questionable provenance, and pick on instinct. The legal market has no equivalent of healthdirect or Choice. Until now.

We built Lawyer Reviews Australia to be the consumer’s research-led starting point: methodology-published rankings, verified credentials, transparent fees, plain-English explainers, and tools that show the typical cost and pathway for matters like yours before you engage. The match flow then connects you to verified lawyers practising in your matter type and city.

Who we are

Lawyer Reviews Australia is owned by Lawyer Reviews Australia Pty Ltd (ABN pending). The masthead is currently anchored by the editorial team; an Editor-in-Chief appointment is forthcoming.

Editorial output is reviewed by currently practising Australian lawyers before publication. Each article and explainer carries the reviewer’s admitting jurisdiction and the date of last review. The platform’s annual editorial audit is conducted by an independent admitted practitioner outside the company and the audit summary is published.

How we make money

Our revenue model is published. There are no opaque relationships and no consumer fees.

• Sponsored placement. Some lawyers pay $149/month for Featured placement above the standard editorial list. Sponsored placements are always labelled Sponsored on the card and excluded from editorial rankings of other lawyers.
• Lead referral. Lawyers pay a published fixed fee per accepted consumer enquiry (from $60). No auction, no exclusivity, no consumer cost.
• Verified profiles. Free for all admitted lawyers. Practising-certificate verification carries no charge.
• Practice Performance & Reputation Audit. An optional $1,950 fixed-fee diagnostic product for firms wanting to understand and improve their digital reputation. See /audit/.

Editorial rankings and content are produced independently of these commercial relationships. Sponsored placements cannot influence editorial.

Editorial governance

Three structures hold us to the published standard:

• Published methodology. The ranking weights, verification standards, and dispute process are public at /methodology/. Changes are dated and explained.
• Right of reply. Every lawyer in the index can publish a reply to any review, dispute a third-party listing, or escalate. Contacts at reviews@lawyerreviews.com.au.
• Public corrections log. Every correction we publish is logged, dated, and shows what it said before. /complaints/.

Compliance

This is a YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) category. We comply with:

• The Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW, VIC, WA) and equivalent legislation in other states, particularly regarding advertising of legal services and specialist accreditation claims.
• The Australian Consumer Law s18 (misleading and deceptive conduct) on every claim about a lawyer or firm.
• The 2021 reforms to state Defamation Acts (NSW, VIC and others) including the mandatory concerns notice process for any defamation complaint.
• The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles for consumer data handled through our intake.

Contact

General: hello@lawyerreviews.com.au
Editorial: editor@lawyerreviews.com.au
Reviews / right of reply: reviews@lawyerreviews.com.au
Concerns notice (defamation): concerns@lawyerreviews.com.au
Corrections: corrections@lawyerreviews.com.au
For lawyers: lawyers@lawyerreviews.com.au