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    Legal costs information

     

    The Society has prepared documentation to assist users of legal services in understanding their rights in regards to the cost of their legal services provided.

    Legal costs - your right to know - explains the process of disputing lawyers' costs and includes information on topics such as:

    • your right to:
      • negotiate,
      • enter into a costs agreement,
      • receive a bill of costs,
      • be notified of changes,
      • request written progress reports; and
    • what to do if you are unhappy with your legal costs.

    Your right to challenge legal costs - includes information on topics such as:

    • Talking to your lawyer
    • Lump sum and itemised bills
    • Costs mediation
    • Costs assessment
    • Setting aside a costs agreement
    • Other avenues for challenging legal costs.

    Legal Costs Mediation Less than $10,000 - includes

    • Clients right to refer mediation to Statutory Supervisor
    • An application form including details of supporting documents required

    Application for costs assessment - includes information on:

    • Background to costs assessment
    • The fee
    • The application
    • An application form

    Make a complaint

     

    The Society regulates conduct rules between lawyers and deals with complaints against lawyers.

    The Legal Profession Act 2006 provides for the Society to be the first tier of a three-tiered system of regulation of the legal profession, comprising the Society, the Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal and the Supreme Court.

    The Society will assess and/or investigate complaints and refer serious matters to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. In order to do this, complaints must be made in writing to the Society.

    BEFORE lodging your complaint, please read the Complaints and Discipline Guide.

    You can lodge a complaint against a lawyer using the Complaint Form.

    All completed Complaint Forms can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or posted to:

    Manager Regulatory Services
    Law Society Northern Territory
    GPO Box 2388
    Darwin NT 0801

    A complainant not satisfied with the Society's handling of a complaint may refer the matter to the Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal.

    Legal Referral Service

     

    Please note:
    The Law Society Northern Territory does not offer legal advice.

    The Legal Referral Service is a service coordinated by the Society for the benefit of members of the public.

    Firms advise the Society of the areas of law in which they practice (e.g. criminal law, family law, civil litigation etc.) and members of the public can then access the information here.

    You can find a practitioner participating in the First Interview Scheme here.

    Office details

    Office: 3/6 Lindsay St. Darwin NT 0800
    Post: GPO Box 2388 Darwin NT 0801
    ABN: 62 208 314 893

    Contact

    Please note that the Society does not offer legal advice.

    A list of lawyers can be found here.

    Telephone: (08) 8981 5104
    Email: lawsoc@lawsocietynt.asn.au

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