LIV deals with aspects of a solicitor's professional conduct and disputes over costs and allegations of loss. You can contact the LIV Complaints Officer, who can supply information on the complaint process. There is no charge for making a complaint against a lawyer.

Complaints are to be directed to the Legal Services Commissioner by calling 9679 8001 or 1300 796 344 (country callers), or by submitting a complaint form obtainable from the Legal Services Commissioner's website (see further details below).

The Victorian Bar is the professional association and part of a system of self-regulation for barristers. If you believe that your barrister has not acted in an ethical or professional manner then you can have your barrister investigated by lodging a complaint with the Legal Services Commissioner (see details below).

The Legal Services Commissioner deals with complaints about lawyers. Common issues include delays caused by your lawyer, poor communication, incompetence, inadequate service and ethical issues (such as conflict of interest). The Commissioner also handles complaints regarding the costs that you have been charged by your lawyer, or, if you believe that your lawyer's actions have caused you financial loss.

Complaints must be in writing on the form available from either their website or that of Victorian Bar Inc. (see above). All relevant documents should be enclosed with the complaint form and it should be sent either by fax or mail. A complaint about costs that you have been charged is subject to strict time limits and in some circumstances the time period can be as little as 28 days.

Amongst other issues, the VCAT Legal Practice List deals with disputes between clients and legal practitioners, claims against legal practitioners under the Fair Trading Act and applications to set aside costs agreements. Application forms are available on the Legal Practice section of the VCAT website.

If a grant of legal assistance has been refused you can have the decision reviewed. You have 14 days from the date of the letter to write to the Grants Officer who made the decision. The name of the Grants Officer will be in the letter. It is best to make your request in writing with you legal aid reference number at the top of the page. You should include an outline of the reasons why you are requesting the reconsideration.

If the decision to refuse a grant of legal assistance is confirmed then you have a right to have the matter reviewed by an Independent Reviewer. You must seek review of the decision within 21 days from the date of the letter. This letter should be sent to the Grants Officer who made the decision who will refer the matter to the Independent Reviewer for review.

If you are not happy with any aspect of the service provided by Victoria Legal Aid, for example, by the Grants Officer or solicitor, then you should write to the Client Relations Officer at Victoria Legal Aid at the address above.