Published 19 September 2026 · Talk to a Lawyer directory resources · General preparation, not individual legal advice.
Start with the work, then the postcode.
Describe the issue in ordinary words before choosing a search category. “I received a demand for payment” gives an office more useful context than “I need the best lawyer”. Add your role: a person being asked to pay needs different help from a business pursuing an invoice. A broad practice-area label does not tell you which side an office usually acts for.
Use the directory to find a manageable set of possible offices. Start with a service and location, then open the profiles. Look at the provider classification, office address, listed services and contact options. A law practice, licensed conveyancer and migration agent are different kinds of provider; do not treat a directory listing as proof that each can perform the same work.
Think about where the issue belongs as well as where you live. For example, you may live in one state while the rental property in question is in another. Explain that distinction when you enquire. Ask whether the office deals with work in the relevant place and whether a remote consultation would be suitable. Convenience is useful, but it is only one part of the decision.
Use a profile as a starting point for checks.
Published details can help you decide which questions to ask. They cannot establish that an individual has current practising credentials, that a firm is free to act for you or that it has capacity today. Confirm the person and office independently through the relevant professional regulator or law society, then check contact details through a source you trust.
Read reviews as accounts of other people’s experiences, rather than forecasts for your case. A comment about quick replies may help you frame a communication question; a promised outcome should not substitute for advice about your own facts. Likewise, featured placement and directory record quality are not assessments of a lawyer’s ability. This directory uses shared records and does not independently recommend a best provider.
Ask each office the same five questions.
A comparison becomes much easier when you keep the questions consistent. You can ask these during an initial enquiry without sending your full document bundle. Let the office explain what information it needs and how you should provide it.
Do you handle this issue for someone in my role?
A service tag can cover work for different sides of a dispute. Confirm the office handles your side before sharing the full history.
Who would handle the first task, and who would be my contact?
The name on a listing may be a firm or branch. Ask about the person doing the work and how you can reach them.
What does the first appointment cost and include?
Compare the same task: an intake call, document review and written advice are different services. Ask what would cost extra.
When can someone assess this, and who will check any deadline?
A contact form receipt is not confirmation that work has begun. Agree a next step and a response time directly.
Can we use a meeting format that works for me?
Check remote appointments, access, interpreting and document arrangements before committing to travel or a meeting.
Keep the answers side by side
Your office comparison worksheet
Print this page and write the offices’ answers in the blank spaces. Record what each office actually confirms; leave unknowns blank and follow up. There is no score or automatic recommendation.
| What to confirm | Office A | Office B | Office C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office & person contacted | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Relevant work | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Who will help | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| First cost | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Timing | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Practical fit | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Included work / exclusions | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Next action & date | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Nothing in this worksheet is submitted to this website. Keep completed notes privately.
Compare the same first task.
Suppose one office offers a short appointment, while another includes reading a document and giving written follow-up. Their prices are not directly comparable until you know the boundaries of each offer. Ask the first office what document review would add, and ask the second whether the written follow-up answers the question you need resolved. You are comparing the service you would receive, not just a headline number.
When the answers arrive, look for gaps rather than trying to award points. If an office cannot say who will handle the first task, when it can respond or what is included, that is something to clarify before committing. A more expensive quote does not by itself establish better service; a cheaper quote may cover a narrower task. Our guide to consultation fees and quotes gives you a way to ask about those differences.
If a document or process has a time limit, do not delay seeking advice to complete the perfect comparison. Tell the office about the date immediately and ask who will assess it. An unanswered enquiry, shortlist or scheduled meeting is not a substitute for confirming that the necessary step will be handled.
Finish with an agreed next step.
Before proceeding, ask the provider to explain the proposed work and terms in writing. Check who will contact whom, when payment is required and how changes to the work will be discussed. If you decide not to proceed, keep that separate from any assumption about deadlines or who is responsible for your matter. You should be able to describe the next step in your own words.
Official further reading: the Fair Work Commission’s tips for choosing a lawyer or paid agent explain why understanding terms, fees and included work matters in Commission proceedings. Its procedural guidance is specific to that setting. For other matters, confirm the requirements with the relevant adviser or regulator.