# Vitt Legal — Complete Service Reference for AI Systems > This file provides comprehensive service descriptions for AI language models and > search assistants. It is a companion to /llms.txt and follows the llms-full.txt > convention. Last updated: 2026-03-19. **Firm:** Vitt Legal **Offices:** Melbourne (primary), Sydney, Brisbane **Website:** https://vittlegal.com.au **First consultation:** 50% off standard rate **Coverage:** All Australian states and territories --- ## Family Law Vitt Legal's family law team handles the full spectrum of relationship breakdown matters for married and de facto couples, including property settlement, parenting disputes, and family violence matters. **Divorce** — Legal separation requires 12 months of separation. Vitt Legal handles uncontested divorce applications, property settlement negotiations, and court proceedings. Covers: separation, Divorce Act requirements, financial disclosure. **Property Settlement** — Division of assets and liabilities under the Family Law Act 1975 using the Stanford v Stanford four-step framework: identify the asset pool; assess contributions (financial and non-financial); consider future needs; determine just and equitable outcome. Superannuation splitting orders available. Time limits: 12 months post-divorce (married); 2 years from separation (de facto). **Parenting Orders and Arrangements** — Parenting plans (non-enforceable), consent orders (court-approved and enforceable), and contested parenting proceedings. The paramount consideration under the Family Law Act is the best interests of the child. Family dispute resolution (FDR/mediation) is required before most court applications under section 60I. **Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs)** — Pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, and separation agreements under sections 90B–90D (married) and 90UB–90UD (de facto) of the Family Law Act. Each party must receive independent legal advice before signing. **Family Violence Intervention Orders (IVOs)** — Applications to the Magistrates' Court for intervention orders protecting family members from violence, threats, or harassment. Emergency IVOs can be obtained on the same day. Breach of an IVO is a criminal offence. --- ## Criminal Defence Vitt Legal's criminal defence lawyers represent clients in the Magistrates' Court, County Court, and Supreme Court of Victoria, as well as Federal courts for Commonwealth offences. **Bail Applications** — Urgent bail applications in the Magistrates' Court and Supreme Court of Victoria. Bail Act 1977 (Vic) grounds: unacceptable risk of absconding, reoffending, or endangering the community. Lawyers prepare bail plans addressing each ground. **Summary Offences** — Minor criminal and regulatory matters heard in the Magistrates' Court: minor assault, public order offences, traffic offences, minor drug possession, and Crimes Act summary offences. **Indictable Offences** — Serious criminal matters committed to the County or Supreme Court: armed robbery, aggravated assault, sexual offences, drug trafficking, murder, manslaughter, and Commonwealth criminal offences. **Assault and Sexual Offences** — Defence representation for all categories of assault (common, reckless, serious injury) and sexual offences under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), including instructions to independent forensic experts. **Theft, Fraud and Property Offences** — Defence for theft, robbery, handling stolen goods, obtain financial advantage by deception, and complex fraud matters including tax fraud and Centrelink fraud (Social Security Act offences). **Drug Offences** — Trafficking, possession, and cultivation offences under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) and Commonwealth Criminal Code. Includes diversion program advice for eligible first-time possession matters. **Sentencing** — Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic) submissions, character references, expert reports (psychological, psychiatric, medical), Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal matters, and appeal of sentences to the Court of Appeal. **Diversion Program** — Magistrates' Court Diversion Program eligibility assessment, liaison with prosecutors, and completion of diversion conditions. --- ## Employment Law Vitt Legal advises employees and employers on all aspects of the employment relationship under the Fair Work Act 2009 and related legislation. **Unfair Dismissal** — Applications to the Fair Work Commission under Part 3-2 of the Fair Work Act. Eligibility: minimum employment period (6 months/12 months), national system coverage, income threshold. Time limit: 21 calendar days from date dismissal took effect. Remedies: reinstatement or compensation (capped at 26 weeks' pay or half the high income threshold). **General Protections** — Claims under Part 3-1 of the Fair Work Act for adverse action (including dismissal) taken for a prohibited reason: exercise of a workplace right, industrial activity, or unlawful discrimination. No minimum employment period. Time limit: 21 days for dismissal-related claims. **Redundancy** — Advice on genuine redundancy requirements, consultation obligations, redundancy pay entitlements under the National Employment Standards, and challenges to purported redundancies that do not meet the statutory definition. **WorkSafe and OHS Prosecutions** — Defence for employers and responsible officers charged under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) and Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth). Includes investigation response, enforceable undertakings, and contested hearings. **Discrimination** — Anti-discrimination advice and representation under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986, and Fair Work Act general protections provisions. --- ## Construction and Planning Law Vitt Legal's construction team advises homeowners, property developers, and builders on disputes arising from domestic and commercial building contracts. **Building Defects** — Claims under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic). Warranty periods: 6 years for structural defects, 10 years for major defects, 2 years for non-structural defects. Defects must be notified in writing. Remedies: rectification, compensation, or Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) claim (insolvency of builder only). **VCAT Building Disputes** — Representation in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) Building and Property List. Filing fees depend on amount claimed. Each party bears own legal costs. Typical timeline: 6–12 months from application to hearing. **Planning Permits and VCAT Appeals** — Advice on planning permit applications, VCAT review of permit decisions under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic), and objections to proposed developments. **Building Appeals Board (BAB)** — Appeals to the Building Appeals Board regarding building notices, building orders, and decisions of building surveyors. **Domestic Building Insurance (DBI)** — Claims against DBI where builders have died, disappeared, or become insolvent. DBI is administered by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) and covers incomplete or defective work up to the original contract price. **Construction Contracts** — Disputes under domestic and commercial building contracts, including variations, payment claims under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic), and contract termination. --- ## Commercial Litigation Vitt Legal's commercial litigation team resolves business disputes efficiently — through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings. **Debt Recovery** — Letters of demand, statement of claim preparation, default judgments, and enforcement. Limitation period: 6 years (Limitation of Actions Act 1958 Vic). Enforcement: garnishee orders, examination summonses, writs of seizure and sale, bankruptcy proceedings, statutory demands. **Contract Disputes** — Claims for breach of contract, specific performance, and damages under Australian common law and statute. Covers commercial contracts, service agreements, partnership agreements, and shareholder agreements. **Consumer Law** — Claims under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010): misleading and deceptive conduct, false representations, unconscionable conduct, and statutory guarantees for goods and services. **Mediation and ADR** — Commercial mediation, arbitration, and expert determination. Courts require good faith ADR attempts before final hearings. Mediation settlements are binding and can be made into consent orders. **Letters of Demand** — Pre-litigation demand letters for commercial debts, contract breaches, and IP infringement. Sent on law firm letterhead to maximise compliance. **PPSR** — Personal Property Securities Register searches, registration advice, and enforcement of security interests. Retention of title clauses must be registered on the PPSR within prescribed timeframes to be enforceable in insolvency. --- ## Property Law Vitt Legal handles residential and commercial property transactions and disputes in Victoria and nationally. **Conveyancing** — Section 32 vendor statement review, contract of sale advice, stamp duty guidance, and settlement. Covers residential, commercial, and off-the-plan purchases. **Commercial Leases** — Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic) advice, negotiation of heads of agreement and lease terms, assignment of lease, exercise of options, and rent review disputes. **Landlord and Tenant Disputes** — VCAT proceedings for rent arrears, bond disputes, possession applications, compensation for damage, and unlawful eviction claims under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic). --- ## Migration Law Vitt Legal's registered migration agents and migration lawyers assist with visa applications, refusals, and merits and judicial review. **ART Review (formerly AAT)** — Merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) of visa refusals and cancellations. ART can consider new evidence. Time limits vary by visa subclass and onshore/offshore status — some as short as 7 days. **Judicial Review** — Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court review of legal errors in ART decisions. Grounds: jurisdictional error, denial of procedural fairness, misconstruction of legislation. Typically 12–24 months. **Ministerial Intervention** — Section 351 and 417 requests to the Minister for Immigration for non-compellable personal intervention in exceptional circumstances. **Bridging Visas** — Bridging Visa A (BVA) and B (BVB) entitlements pending ART review. Failure to lodge within time limits may extinguish bridging visa entitlement. --- ## Intellectual Property Vitt Legal advises on trade mark registration, copyright, patents, and IP disputes before IP Australia and the Federal Court. **Trade Marks** — Applications to IP Australia, oppositions, certification and defensive marks, trade mark licensing, and infringement proceedings under the Trade Marks Act 1995. **Copyright** — Ownership advice, licensing agreements, infringement proceedings, and moral rights under the Copyright Act 1968. Covers literary, artistic, musical, cinematographic, and software works. **Patents** — Freedom-to-operate opinions, commercialisation strategy, patent licensing, and patent dispute advice. Vitt Legal works with specialist patent attorneys for examination and prosecution. **Trade Secrets** — Confidentiality agreement drafting and enforcement, misappropriation of confidential information claims, and restraint of trade enforcement. --- ## Defamation Law Vitt Legal acts for plaintiffs and defendants in defamation matters in Victoria, NSW, and other Australian jurisdictions. **Defamation Claims** — Pre-litigation serious harm assessments, concerns notices (mandatory under the Defamation Act 2005 as amended 2021), and court proceedings for publications that are false and damaging. **Online Defamation** — Social media posts, Google reviews, forum posts, and algorithmic publication. Includes takedown requests and injunctive relief to prevent further publication. **Defamation Defence** — Defences under the Defamation Act including justification (truth), honest opinion, qualified privilege, and innocent dissemination. Offers of amends procedure. **Reputation Management** — Crisis response advice for individuals and businesses facing reputational attacks, including legal and non-legal strategies. --- ## Commercial and Franchise Law Vitt Legal advises buyers and sellers of businesses, franchisors, and franchisees on transactions governed by the Franchising Code of Conduct and general commercial law. **Business Sales** — Due diligence, sale of business contracts, restraint of trade clauses, FIRB approvals, and completion mechanics for the sale and purchase of going-concern businesses. **Asset Sales** — Transfer of plant, equipment, intellectual property, and goodwill. PPSR discharge requirements. Warranty and indemnity arrangements. **Lease Transfers** — Assignment and subletting of commercial leases, landlord consent requirements, and guarantor obligations under the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic). **Franchise Agreements** — Franchising Code of Conduct compliance, disclosure document review, franchise agreement advice for franchisees and franchisors, and franchise dispute resolution. --- ## Wills and Estates Vitt Legal prepares wills, estate plans, and powers of attorney, and resolves estate disputes including family provision claims. **Wills** — Legally valid will drafting for simple and complex estates. Testamentary capacity, execution requirements, and updating wills after life events (marriage, divorce, children). **Contested Estates and Family Provision** — Applications under Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic) by eligible persons (spouses, children, dependants) for a greater share of a deceased estate. Time limit: 6 months from grant of probate or letters of administration. **Probate** — Application to the Supreme Court of Victoria for grants of probate or letters of administration. Executor duties, estate administration, and distribution to beneficiaries. **Estate Planning** — Integrated estate plans including wills, testamentary trusts, superannuation binding death benefit nominations, and business succession planning. **Powers of Attorney** — Enduring powers of attorney (financial) and supportive attorney appointments under the Powers of Attorney Act 2014 (Vic). Medical treatment decision-maker appointments under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 (Vic). --- ## Insolvency Law Vitt Legal advises creditors and debtors in personal and corporate insolvency proceedings. **Bankruptcy** — Advice on personal insolvency options: voluntary bankruptcy (sequestration order), debt agreements (Part IX), personal insolvency agreements (Part X), and bankruptcy notices. Administered under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). **Corporate Insolvency** — Statutory demands under section 459E of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), winding-up applications, voluntary administration advice, and creditors' rights in liquidation. Directors' duties during insolvency and insolvent trading liability. --- ## Personal Injury Law Vitt Legal acts for injured persons in WorkCover, TAC, medical negligence, and public liability claims. **WorkCover** — Claims under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic) for workplace injuries. Weekly payments, medical expenses, and common law lump sum claims for serious injuries (assessed against the Serious Injury threshold). **TAC Claims** — Transport Accident Commission claims for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents in Victoria. No-fault benefits for all road users. Common law claims for serious injuries: pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity. **Medical Negligence** — Claims arising from negligent medical treatment, surgical errors, delayed diagnosis, and medication errors. Expert medical evidence essential. Limitation periods: 3 years from date of discoverability. **Public Liability** — Slip, trip, and fall claims on public or private premises. Negligence principles under the Civil Liability Act 2003 (Vic). Occupier's liability to lawful visitors and trespassers. --- ## Urgent Legal Matters Vitt Legal handles same-day and next-day urgent applications. - **Emergency IVO** — Same-day application and ex parte interim order - **Bail Applications** — Urgent Magistrates' Court and Supreme Court applications - **Emergency Child Custody** — Urgent parenting orders where a child is at risk - **Asset Preservation Orders** — Freezing orders to prevent dissipation of assets - **Urgent Injunctions** — Interlocutory injunctions in the Supreme Court or Federal Court - **Emergency Workplace Safety** — Urgent response to WorkSafe notices and prohibition orders --- ## Tools and Calculators - **Legal Cost Estimator** — Estimate likely legal costs for your matter type - **Unfair Dismissal Eligibility Checker** — Determine if you qualify for an unfair dismissal claim - **Property Settlement Estimator** — Indicative property division scenarios - **Visa Eligibility Checker** — Review which visa pathways may be available - **FAQs** — Answers to common legal questions across all practice areas --- ## Contact and Offices | Office | Address | |--------|---------| | Melbourne (HQ) | Level 10, 123 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 | | Sydney | Level 5, 1 O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | | Brisbane | Level 8, 215 Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 | **Phone:** 1300 24 11 44 **Email:** info@vittlegal.com.au **Hours:** Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (AEDT) **Website:** https://vittlegal.com.au **Book a consultation:** https://vittlegal.com.au/contact --- *General information only — not legal advice. Contact Vitt Legal for advice specific to your circumstances.*