Frequently asked questions

Engage a civil litigation lawyer as soon as a dispute looks likely to end up in court, for example after a letter of demand, a statement of claim, or a notice from a creditor.

Acting early on a dispute usually keeps more options open than waiting until a court deadline is close.

Civil litigation costs depend on how complex the dispute is, whether it settles early or runs to a hearing, and which NSW court it is filed in. Vamp Law sets out the likely fee structure for your specific matter at the first conference, before any work begins.

A letter of demand is a formal written notice setting out what is owed or claimed, giving the other party a fixed period to pay or respond before proceedings are filed.

Most NSW courts expect this step to have been attempted, and it often resolves a dispute without a claim ever being lodged.

A straightforward debt recovery matter that is not defended can resolve in a matter of weeks. A defended civil claim in the Local, District or Supreme Court more commonly takes 6 to 18 months from filing to a hearing, longer if the matter is complex or the other side contests every step.

Bring every document connected to the dispute: contracts, invoices, correspondence, and anything already sent to or received from the other side, in date order where possible.

A short written timeline of key events also helps Kyra Pastrovic assess the matter quickly at your first conference.

NSW civil claims are allocated by amount in dispute. The Local Court generally hears claims up to $100,000, the District Court up to $1,250,000, and the Supreme Court hears larger or more complex claims with no upper limit.

The right court affects cost, procedure and how long the matter takes.

Whether you have a claim generally depends on three things: someone else was at fault or legally liable, you suffered a genuine injury, and you are within the applicable time limit.

Vamp Law's Claims Checker gives you an initial, private indication in a few minutes, with no obligation to proceed.

Most personal injury claims in NSW must generally be started within three years of the date of injury, under the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW). Motor accident and workplace injury claims have their own, often shorter, notification requirements, so it is worth getting advice well before any deadline is close.

Personal injury compensation is generally assessed under a set of statutory categories, which can include medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, and, in more serious cases, an amount for non-economic loss.

What applies to your matter depends on your injury, your claim type, and the relevant NSW scheme.

Yes. Kyra Pastrovic acts for injured people in some personal injury matters and, in separate matters, for insurers and organisations defending a claim. She does not act for both sides of the same dispute, and every new matter is checked for conflicts before it is accepted.

A personal injury claim generally moves through notification, gathering of medical and other evidence, an assessment of liability, and then either a negotiated settlement or formal proceedings if liability or the value of the claim cannot be agreed.

Timeframes vary by scheme and by how contested liability is.

Costs depend on the type of claim, whether liability is contested, and how the matter resolves. Vamp Law discusses the fee structure that fits your circumstances at the first conference, including how fees are calculated and when they fall due, before any work begins on your matter.

You are not legally required to have a lawyer for a public liability claim, but insurers assess these claims professionally and often dispute liability or the extent of injury.

A lawyer helps gather the right evidence early and negotiate on even terms, which matters most while facts are still fresh.