Legal Services Commissioner
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Making a complaint
You should read the information on this page before lodging a complaint with the Legal Services Commissioner:
How do I make a complaint?
Who can I complain about?
What can I complain about?
What is the LSC unable to deal with?
How are complaints categorised?
What time limits apply?
Who can make a complaint?
Are there any costs involved?
Where do I send my completed form?
Where do I go for further information?
Need a telephone interpreter to speak to us?
How do I make a complaint?
Complaints to the Legal Services Commissioner must be made in writing.
You can download a complaint form or contact us to have one sent to you. Alternatively, you can write a letter outlining the details of your complaint.
Who can I complain about?
You can complain about lawyers and in certain circumstances law firms or law practices.
What can I complain about?
You can complain about:
- Delays caused by your lawyer
- Poor communication
- Incompetence
- Inadequate service
- Ethical issues (such as conflict of interest)
You can also complain to the Legal Services Commissioner about:
- The costs you have been charged by your lawyer
- Your lawyer’s action having caused you financial loss
What is the Legal Services Commissioner unable to deal with?
The Legal Services Commissioner is unable to deal with your complaint if:
- The matter is before the courts
- Your complaint is about the courts or court staff
How are complaints categorised?
The Legal Services Commissioner deals with three categories of complaints:
Civil complaints
Civil complaints are civil disputes about legal costs up to $25,000; financial loss disputes where a client claims to have suffered the loss as the result of an act or omission of a lawyer, and any other genuine dispute.
Disciplinary complaints
Disciplinary complaints are complaints about the conduct of a lawyer that, if established, would amount to unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct. You will find a definition of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct in our glossary.
Mixed complaints
Mixed complaints are complaints which involve both a disciplinary complaint and a civil dispute.
What time limits apply?
Time limits apply to each type of complaint.
Costs disputes
- In most cases, you have 60 days from the due date of the bill to dispute those costs.
- If you have requested an itemised bill, you have 30 days after you receive the bill to dispute those costs.
- Even if you have paid the bill, you can complain within this time.
- If you have not paid the bill in full, in most cases, before the Legal Services Commissioner can handle your complaint, you must lodge the outstanding amount with the Legal Services Commissioner. You have only 28 days from the date of making your complaint to lodge the outstanding money with the Legal Services Commissioner.
Time is crucial when challenging the costs you have been charged, so contact the Legal Services Commissioner if you have any queries.
All other complaints
For all other complaints, the complaint must be made within six years after the conduct complained about allegedly occurred.
Who can make a complaint?
Any person may make a complaint about the behaviour of a lawyer. However, generally only a client may complain about costs or financial loss.
Are there any costs involved?
There are no costs involved for dealing with your complaint.
Where do I send my completed form?
Send your completed complaint form or letter:
By post to:
Legal Services Commissioner
9/330 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
or by fax to: 03 9679 8101
Where do I go for further information?
Contact us if you have any queries about making a complaint
Need a telephone interpreter to speak to us?
Contact us to arrange a telephone interpreter.