Law Plus Debt Recovery: Your Options
An unpaid invoice doesn't have to mean a costly court battle. The ladder of options, from a letter of demand to a statutory demand and court.
Read the guideCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers
When a disagreement won't resolve itself, we help you settle it commercially — with court as a last resort, not a first step.
Civil litigation & disputes
A commercial answer, not a courtroom drama
Disputes are expensive in every sense — money, time and headspace. Whether a customer won't pay, a supplier hasn't delivered, a business partner has gone rogue or a contract has been broken, the goal is rarely to "win" in court. The goal is to get the best available outcome for the least cost and disruption, and get back to running your life or your business.
That's how we approach civil litigation. We start by assessing your position honestly: how strong is your case, what is it realistically worth, and what are the sensible paths to resolution? Often a well-drafted letter of demand or a round of structured negotiation ends the matter. Where it doesn't, mediation resolves most of what's left. Court proceedings are the fallback — pursued only when the numbers justify them.
Please note: we act in civil disputes only. Law Plus Australia does not practise criminal law. If you need criminal representation, contact your state or territory's legal aid service or a criminal law firm.
What we help with
Our dispute work covers the disagreements small businesses and individuals actually face:
- Contract disputes — breaches of supply, service, building and commercial agreements, whether you're owed performance or defending a claim.
- Debt recovery — letters of demand, negotiations, court proceedings and enforcement of judgments for unpaid invoices and loans.
- Mediation and negotiation — structured settlement discussions that resolve most disputes without a hearing.
- Small claims and tribunals — preparing and presenting claims in tribunals and the small claims jurisdiction, where speed and cost matter most.
- Partnership and shareholder disputes — disagreements between co-owners over money, management or exits.
How we work
- A free 15-minute consultation to assess your position.
- An honest cost-benefit view before you spend anything.
- Settlement-first strategy: demand, negotiate, mediate, then — if justified — litigate.
- Written costs estimates at each stage, so you stay in control.
What to expect, step by step
Every dispute is different, but most follow a similar arc. First, we gather the facts — the contract, the emails, the invoices — and give you a candid view of your position. Second, we try the cheap options: a letter of demand or direct negotiation, which resolves a surprising number of matters within weeks. Third, if needed, we move to formal negotiation or mediation, where an independent mediator helps both sides reach a binding agreement.
Only if those steps fail do we talk about court. If litigation is warranted, we'll explain the process, the likely timeframe and the realistic costs — including the risk that an unsuccessful party may be ordered to pay part of the other side's costs. You'll never drift into proceedings without understanding what you're signing up for.
For smaller matters, we'll also tell you when you'd be better off running it yourself in a tribunal with some coaching from us, rather than paying us to do it. Spending more on lawyers than the dispute is worth makes no sense, and we won't let you do it.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Usually not. Most civil disputes settle through negotiation, a letter of demand or mediation — long before a courtroom. Court is a last resort because it's slow and expensive, and we'll only recommend it when the likely outcome justifies the cost.
Mediation is a structured negotiation guided by an independent mediator. Both sides meet — often for a single day — and work towards an agreement they can both live with. It's confidential, far cheaper than a trial, and resolves the majority of matters that go through it.
Yes. We handle debt recovery from the first letter of demand through to court proceedings and enforcement where necessary. We'll first assess whether the debt is worth chasing — if recovery costs would outweigh the amount owed, we'll tell you straight.
Yes. Smaller disputes often belong in a tribunal or the small claims jurisdiction of a local or magistrates court, where the process is designed to be quicker and cheaper. We can prepare your claim, advise on evidence, and help you present it effectively — including where you represent yourself.
No. Law Plus Australia does not practise criminal law. Our litigation work is limited to civil disputes — contracts, debts, property and commercial disagreements. If you need criminal representation, contact your state or territory's legal aid service or a dedicated criminal law firm.
Related reading
Civil litigation & disputes guides
Do You Have to Go to Court?
Most disputes settle long before a courtroom. How negotiation, mediation and other alternatives to litigation actually work.
Read the guide