Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jan 19, 2011 9:06 am Hi Guys I lodged a complain at VCAT against the Builder. I am looking for a cheap but good lawyer to help me with the mediation and final hearing if necessary. I would like to have someone with VCAT experience. To be frank, I am unable to hire an expensive lawyer. One of my friends recommended me that I should find a student who is studying this area. Any suggestions / recommendations would be appreciated. Re: Lawyer for Building Dispute 2Jan 19, 2011 9:47 am The law institute of victoria has a referral service that can provide you with a list of practictioners qualified in specific areas eg building, best option is to call them and provide your details and location so they can send you a referral letter, http://www.liv.asn.au/Referral From the website Quote: Referral Letter Users of the Legal Referral Service will receive a referral letter listing up to 3 firms practising in the relevant area of law. You may then make an appointment with one of those firms for a free thirty minute enquiry interview. You must take the letter with you to the interview. The Legal Referral Service will only provide one referral letter per legal matter. Other option to look into is whether you would qualify for legal aid assistance http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ Hope that gives you a lead or two. Our Build - Places Fairhaven 23+ - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28045 Our Landscaping - Belial's Backyard - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=45375 Re: Lawyer for Building Dispute 3Jan 19, 2011 11:01 am Firstly I strongly doubt you would be eligible for legal aid for the type of dispute we are talking about (merits test). Also if you are building a house you must have some money which pretty much makes you ineligible on means. The good news is that the LIV referral service as suggested my Belial means that you can have a half hour free interview with some lawyers in your area to see if you can find someone suitably qualified. Most lawyers will have some VCAT experience but not necessarily in building disputes; it's also important to make sure that you can establish a good relationship with your lawyer as often that it as important as their experience. Be aware that any lawyer that you do get may brief a barrister to do the actual appearance work and you don't usually get to choose who that barrister is. Just a word of warning; beware of some of the "no win, no fee" schemes out there. Some of the larger plaintiffs firms will take your case on on that basis and then take a huge chunk (as much as 90%) out of any payment you might get from the builder by way of their costs. Make sure you establish from the outset a proper estimate of what your costs will be. Just as an aside; I would not be getting a law student to assist you - it's no different to doing it yourself really as they do not have any standing before the Tribunal as a lawyer until they have finished their degree and professional training and are admitted to the Supreme Court. In addition you don't learn much about VCAT and its processes in law school. Anyway, best of luck with everything. Re: Lawyer for Building Dispute 4Jan 21, 2011 4:56 pm Hi, Have you firstly tried Building Advice and Conciliation Victoria? If not, it may be worth giving them a call to see what they can do to assist. http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/1196-building-advice--conciliation-victoria.asp Good luck, Michelle House - Lockup completed 23rd December 2011 - Painters are in!!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37261&start=0&hilit=Blaxland Re: Lawyer for Building Dispute 5Oct 11, 2012 7:44 am Hi NcgQ how did you go finding Lawer to deal your case at VCAT ? Did you represent yourself? Because I am keen to know I am having mediation disputes against builder, any inputs appreciated Thanks Re: Lawyer for Building Dispute 6Oct 15, 2012 10:31 am Hi MyHome1, We are also in dispute with our builder and currently going through VCAT. We are using a solicitor who specialises in building disputes. Its not a cheap option but we were not prepared to defend ourselves in VCAT. More than happy to pass on there details if you would like to PM me. Mofflepop, Are you building around Qld Manly? Building & Legal is a partnership between a construction guy and a construction Lawyer. Construction: we have… 8 25986 yes it does, you've just not understood it. theres a difference. 4 5644 |