Your shortlist, clearly compared
Compare lawyers before you commit.
A private worksheet for up to three options. Record what each provider says, see the questions still unanswered and print a copy for your next conversation.
General information only — not legal advice. Search Solicitors is a directory and information resource, not a law firm. Laws and procedures vary across Australia and may change. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified Australian legal practitioner about your own circumstances. A listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of qualifications, availability or outcomes.
Start with the same task
Ask each office about the same piece of work. A single advice meeting and a document review with written comments are different services, even if their prices look similar. Keep unknown answers blank; the worksheet turns those gaps into follow-up questions.
This tool does not search registers, check answers, recommend a provider or calculate legal fees. A completed column means you have written notes, not that a lawyer is suitable or verified.
Your entries stay in this page’s memory. This tool does not submit them or save them to browser storage. Reloading or leaving the page loses your entries. Use provider labels and general service notes; leave out client names, case details and documents.
Option 1
________________
What specific work will you do, and what is outside that scope?
________________________________
Who will handle and supervise the work, and whom will I contact?
________________________________
What experience do you have with this type of task and jurisdiction?
________________________________
What is the practitioner's full name so I can check the relevant official register?
________________________________
Can you accept this work, check conflicts and address the dates I have raised?
________________________________
How is the work charged, and are GST and additional expenses included?
________________________________
What could change the scope or cost, and how will you tell me?
________________________________
How will updates work, and can you accommodate my meeting, language or access needs?
________________________________
Follow-up questions
8 of 8 topics have no notes. This is a completeness check, not a lawyer rating or verification.
- What specific work will you do, and what is outside that scope?
- Who will handle and supervise the work, and whom will I contact?
- What experience do you have with this type of task and jurisdiction?
- What is the practitioner's full name so I can check the relevant official register?
- Can you accept this work, check conflicts and address the dates I have raised?
- How is the work charged, and are GST and additional expenses included?
- What could change the scope or cost, and how will you tell me?
- How will updates work, and can you accommodate my meeting, language or access needs?
Option 2
________________
What specific work will you do, and what is outside that scope?
________________________________
Who will handle and supervise the work, and whom will I contact?
________________________________
What experience do you have with this type of task and jurisdiction?
________________________________
What is the practitioner's full name so I can check the relevant official register?
________________________________
Can you accept this work, check conflicts and address the dates I have raised?
________________________________
How is the work charged, and are GST and additional expenses included?
________________________________
What could change the scope or cost, and how will you tell me?
________________________________
How will updates work, and can you accommodate my meeting, language or access needs?
________________________________
Follow-up questions
8 of 8 topics have no notes. This is a completeness check, not a lawyer rating or verification.
- What specific work will you do, and what is outside that scope?
- Who will handle and supervise the work, and whom will I contact?
- What experience do you have with this type of task and jurisdiction?
- What is the practitioner's full name so I can check the relevant official register?
- Can you accept this work, check conflicts and address the dates I have raised?
- How is the work charged, and are GST and additional expenses included?
- What could change the scope or cost, and how will you tell me?
- How will updates work, and can you accommodate my meeting, language or access needs?
Option 3
________________
What specific work will you do, and what is outside that scope?
________________________________
Who will handle and supervise the work, and whom will I contact?
________________________________
What experience do you have with this type of task and jurisdiction?
________________________________
What is the practitioner's full name so I can check the relevant official register?
________________________________
Can you accept this work, check conflicts and address the dates I have raised?
________________________________
How is the work charged, and are GST and additional expenses included?
________________________________
What could change the scope or cost, and how will you tell me?
________________________________
How will updates work, and can you accommodate my meeting, language or access needs?
________________________________
Follow-up questions
8 of 8 topics have no notes. This is a completeness check, not a lawyer rating or verification.
- What specific work will you do, and what is outside that scope?
- Who will handle and supervise the work, and whom will I contact?
- What experience do you have with this type of task and jurisdiction?
- What is the practitioner's full name so I can check the relevant official register?
- Can you accept this work, check conflicts and address the dates I have raised?
- How is the work charged, and are GST and additional expenses included?
- What could change the scope or cost, and how will you tell me?
- How will updates work, and can you accommodate my meeting, language or access needs?
Use the differences to guide a conversation
Suppose Office A includes one meeting, while Office B includes a meeting and written comments. Ask A whether comments can be added and ask B whether that is the service you need. Do the same with expenses, availability and who does the work. This is a hypothetical example, not an actual quote or recommendation.
Before choosing
Read the written scope and costs information. Independently check the named practitioner through the appropriate official pathway. Ask about anything that remains unclear. If a document contains a date or you need urgent help, raise it directly with an appropriate service; completing this worksheet does not protect a deadline.