03 9415 9999 03 9415 9999
  • Catholic Clergy Abuse - General
    Catholic Clergy Abuse - General
    Dr Viv Waller has acted in claims against Catholic Clergy since 1995. Waller Legal has recovered compensation for the victims of Catholic Priests such as Frs Baker, Ridsdale, Kevin O'Donnell, D'Cruz, Gannon, Glennon, Gubbels, Frank Klep, Bernard Day & Pidoto.
  • Catholic Clergy Abuse - Melbourne Response
    Catholic Clergy Abuse - Melbourne Response
    Melbourne Response is an alternative dispute resolution process designed to provide redress to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, religious and lay persons who fall within the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Archdiocese.
  • Civil Litigation
    Civil Litigation
    Civil Litigation in the County And Supreme Courts of Victoria. In our pursuit of justice for sexual assault survivors Waller Legal has run common law cases for compensation against; Individual offenders such as family members, teachers, doctors, psychologists and religious figures;
  • Claims for Indigenous & Travel to Remote Communities
    Claims for Indigenous & Travel to Remote Communities
    If you have been the victim of a crime of violence or sexual assault then please contact our office so we may assess your application and obtain financial assistance, counselling, medical or other expenses that may help with your recovery.
  • Royal Commission & Redress Schemes
    Royal Commission & Redress Schemes
    Established in January 2013, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is investigating how institutions like schools, churches and sporting groups responded to allegations of child sexual abuse.
  • Sentencing Act Applications
    Sentencing Act Applications
    If you have been the victim of a crime for which the offender was convicted please contact our office urgently. Any Sentencing Act Application for compensation must be made within 12 months of the date of the conviction.
  • State Ward Claims
    State Ward Claims
    Dr Viv Waller has acted for former wards of the state of Victoria since 1997 when she commenced group litigation on behalf of many former residents of the Ballarat Orphanage who were abused in care.
  • Victim of Crimes Assistance Tribunal
    Victim of Crimes Assistance Tribunal
    If you have been the victim of a crime of violence or sexual assault then please contact our office so we may assess your application and obtain financial assistance, counselling, medical or other expenses that may help with your recovery.

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Waller Legal is a high profile legal practice dedicated to helping victims of crime, particularly those who have been sexually assaulted. We offer "No Win No Charge" arrangements so lack of funds will never prevent access to justice for meritorious cases.

Waller Legal

in Pursuit of Justice

Waller Legal is a high profile legal practice dedicated to assisting people who have been sexually assaulted and people who were physically, sexually or psychologically abused or neglected when they were a child.

We listen. We act. Our job is to help people to obtain compensation. We also represent witnesses at Royal Commission hearings and we agitate for law reform and a National Redress Scheme.

We look after child abuse survivors. Unlike other firms, we don’t do anything else.

 

"No Win No Charge"

We offer "No Win No Charge" arrangements so lack of funds will never prevent access to justice for good causes.  If we offer a No Win No Charge arrangement we also fund disbursements so that there are no upfront costs.

 

Why Choose Waller Legal?

  • Experienced, independent and fearless legal advice.
  • Dedicated representation of sexual assault survivors since 1995.
  • Strength in numbers.  Chances are, we are already involved in cases against the same offender, institution or defendant.  
  • We have an extensive archive of data that we can use to research and corroborate your case.
  • We are not new to the scene.  We are a well-established legal practice that has been dedicated to this type of work since day one.  Dr Waller has been representing survivors since 1995 – long before the Parliamentary Inquiry or Royal Commission were announced.    
  • Waller Legal was established in 2007 and has always specialised in sexual assault and victims of crime matters.
  • We work closely with victim support groups, psychologists, the Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASAs), mental health care professionals, the broader legal profession and the community.
  • No claim is too big or too small. From a straightforward application to the Victims of Crime Tribunal to complex High Court Appeals, Waller Legal has the relevant experience.
Waller Legal welcomes the announcement of a Federal Redress scheme. At this stage very few details are available, however, we will monitor future developments closely and are working hard to ensure that we are ready to respond once further details are announced.

If you would like to be added to the Waller Legal Redress Register, please don’t hesitate to call us on 03 9415 9999. 

For further details and updates regarding the Federal Redress scheme, please see our Royal Commission and Redress page.  

Waller Legal media release in relation to the recently announced National Redress Scheme

Religious order accused of impeding sex abuse investigation - Charlotte King, aired on AM, 23 December 2015

New report slams Catholic Church's handling of child sex abuse allegations against its clergy - Fran Kelly, aired on Radio National Breakfast, 15 September 2015

In pursuit of justice
In The News
Salesian College Rupertswood where the heinous abuse occurred. Picture: Susan Windmiller
‘I guess it’s closure’: Million dollar settlement for victim of clerical abuse
‘I guess it’s closure’: Million dollar settlement for victim of clerical abuse
2021-09-08

A former student at Rupertswood Salesian College in Sunbury has received a $1 million legal settlement more than 30 years after he was raped by Catholic priest David Rapson.

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Choirboy welcomes sentence, says Pell's appeal still hangs over him
Choirboy welcomes sentence, says Pell's appeal still hangs over him
2019-03-13

The man who as a young choirboy was sexually abused by George Pell in Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral says he finds it hard to take any comfort from the cardinal's six-year jail sentence.

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Angry
'I was angry inside': being at George Pell sentencing was hard, father of victim says
'I was angry inside': being at George Pell sentencing was hard, father of victim says
2019-03-13

The father of one of Cardinal George Pell’s victims, who died following a heroin overdose in 2014 and who never disclosed being abused, said he wanted to “hug” the man whose powerful testimony brought Pell to justice.

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Viv Waller
George Pell’s victim reveals he cannot ‘take comfort’ in disgraced cardinal’s sentencing
George Pell’s victim reveals he cannot ‘take comfort’ in disgraced cardinal’s sentencing
2019-03-13

The man whose child sex abuse testimony brought down George Pell has spoken about the disgraced cardinal’s sentencing. "It is hard for me to allow myself to feel the gravity of this moment. The moment when the sentence is handed down. The moment when justice is done," the unidentified victim said in a statement read by his lawyer, Dr Vivian Waller.

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Cardinal George Pell sentenced to six years in prison
Cardinal George Pell sentenced to six years in prison
2019-03-12

The cardinal was convicted on five counts in December, making him the most senior Catholic official — and the first bishop — to be found guilty in a criminal court for sexually abusing minors, according to BishopAccountability.org, which tracks cases of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.

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Guilty
Guilty: The Conviction of Cardinal Pell
Guilty: The Conviction of Cardinal Pell
2019-03-04

Dr Vivian Waller appeared on Four Corners 'Guilty: The conviction of Cardinal Pell', a documentary that reveals how Australia's highest ranking Catholic was brought to justice.

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Q&A: A Church in Crisis
Q&A: A Church in Crisis
2019-03-04

Dr Vivian Waller formed part of the panel on Q&A

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Media Release: George Pell's victim responds to the cardinal's conviction of child sex abuse
Media Release: George Pell's victim responds to the cardinal's conviction of child sex abuse
2019-02-26

Statement read by Dr Vivian Waller outside the County Court of Victoria

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BBC News Report
BBC News Report
2019-02-26

Australian Cardinal George Pell has been found guilty of sexual offences against children while in his first year as archbishop of Melbourne. The former Vatican treasurer is the most senior figure in the Roman Catholic Church to be convicted of such crimes. Pell is due to be sentenced on Wednesday, but is appealing against his conviction.

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'Shame, loneliness, depression': George Pell's victim releases statement
'Shame, loneliness, depression': George Pell's victim releases statement
2019-02-26

A copy of the statement that was read by Dr Vivian Waller outside the County Court of Victoria

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Waller Legal Submission in Response to Federal Redress Bill
Waller Legal Submission in Response to Federal Redress Bill
2018-02-02

Submission in response to the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Sexual Abuse Bill 2017

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Federal Redress Scheme Announcement
Federal Redress Scheme Announcement
2017-10-26

Introduction Bill for Proposed Federal Redress Scheme

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Anthony and Chrissie Foster preparing for Case Study 16, July 2014
Vale Anthony Foster
Vale Anthony Foster
2017-06-09

Farewell to a courageous campaigner for truth and justice

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'Exemplary' teacher guilty of sex abuse of ex-student still working in classroom
'Exemplary' teacher guilty of sex abuse of ex-student still working in classroom
2017-02-02

Man allowed to teach after pleading guilty to sex abuse of former student

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Media Release: Royal Commission Case Study 22 into Yeshivah Media Release 29 November 2016
Media Release: Royal Commission Case Study 22 into Yeshivah Media Release 29 November 2016
2016-11-29

Waller Legal welcomes the release today of the Royal Commission’s Report of Case Study No. 22 into the response of Yeshiva Bondi and Yeshivah Melbourne to allegations of child sexual abuse made against people associated with those institutions.

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Media Release: Melbourne Response compensation cap increased
Media Release: Melbourne Response compensation cap increased
2016-11-23

Whilst Waller Legal maintain the view that the imposition of a cap on redress is unfairly restrictive, the increase signals a positive step forward to recognising and compensating survivors of child sexual abuse in a way that more closely reflects the magnitude of the harm that they have suffered.

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Dr Vivian Waller entering the Supreme Court
Media Release: Federal government announces national redress scheme
Media Release: Federal government announces national redress scheme
2016-11-04

Waller Legal welcomes the announcement of the National redress Scheme, but calls for more detailed information.

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Lawyer Vivian Waller. Photo: Susan Gordon
Church response to sex abuse falls short
Church response to sex abuse falls short
2015-11-23

A body representing the Catholic Church has released guidelines for how the church should respond to civil claims for child sexual abuse, which have received mixed reviews from a sexual abuse survivor and lawyer.

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Scotch College in Hawthorn: the school has apologised and paid compensation to Mr Stuart and urged other victims to come forward. Photo:Gary Medlicott GAM
Scotch College sex abuse victim breaks silence over cover-up of 'hero' molester
Scotch College sex abuse victim breaks silence over cover-up of 'hero' molester
2015-06-08

A former Scotch College student who was sexually abused by a teacher has taken his case to the royal commission, saying the elite school community helped cover up abuse and glorify his molester for decades.

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Vivian Waller
Child sex abuse victims launch action against former Ballarat Bishop Ronald Mulkearns
Child sex abuse victims launch action against former Ballarat Bishop Ronald Mulkearns
2015-05-15

VICTIMS of paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale have begun "unprecedented" legal action against former Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns, saying he could have protected them from child sex abuse.

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Viv Waller outside County Court Vic
Prosecutor of the Faith
Prosecutor of the Faith
2013-11-06

Melbourne lawyer Vivian Waller has spent nearly two decades chasing justice for hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. And it's nowhere near over.

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Geoff Clark court
Alleged rape victim can sue Clark
Alleged rape victim can sue Clark
2006-07-20

A woman allegedly raped by Aboriginal leader Geoff Clark in 1971 is "over the moon" at a High Court ruling that will allow her to seek compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Learn More ›
Orphanage, state face abuse suit
Orphanage, state face abuse suit
2002-09-17

Fourteen former state wards are seeking leave to sue the State Government, claiming horrific sexual, physical and emotional abuse as children in the care of the old Ballarat Orphanage from the late 1950s to the early 1970s.

Learn More ›
Testimonials

  • Many thanks to you and your team for the positive outcome regarding the Anglican Church of Melbourne.

    Although nothing will erase the memories and feelings I still harbour, I at least now feel somewhat satisfied that I have had a win in all of this.

    Mark White

  • I have thought of you often and the journey and the process of the last couple of years.  As a survivor you can think that every end step will be closure—arrest, guilt, sentencing, criminal case finished, civil case complete.  But there is never really an end.  Each part of the process is just a step closer to healing and closure.  You and your staff did a fab job of walking me through the civil case.

    For six months the money has sat idle in an account I can’t touch.  It feels as though if I touch it I am accepting it as silence money and once again feeling gagged.  But I am getting there.  It will be used towards a fresh start.  Hope for a more whole and healed future.  Thank you for being part of the process.

    Thank you for your professionalism, support, and persistence.

    KD

  • Dear Vivian,

    I wish to thank you for everything you have done to enable me to feel some justice has been achieved with the hope that the Catholic Church recognises it’s failings and addresses them.  In doing so, the Catholic Church can continue in the future, without public cynicism and to keep alive the central message of all religion, “to love thy neighbour as you would love yourself”.

    Essentially, this is asking us to step into another’s shoes before we judge them.  I feel that you did this for me during my conversations with me, and this made it easier for me to go through the whole process.  I also won’t forget the thoroughness and delightful manner of your staff.

    JA

  • It is with both great relief and admiration that I write this letter to you. A consummate professional and an amazingly beautiful human being you are. Thank you for doing such an exemplary job in resolving these issues for me, and supporting me with both compassion and instruction as my representative throughout this ordeal. I am painfully aware that no amount of retribution / compensation can replace what was taken, but I am hoping it can propel myself forward to achieve some sort of normality in my life. With respect and gratitude.

    JZ

  • Again we cannot thank you enough for all your dedication and hard work over the past few years, we would not have made it without your persistence and dogged determination to get this to settlement stage, many others would have settled for less. We now have a girl who has beaten the odds, and whose self esteem has rocketed, is confident, and especially is calm!

    We wish you all good things in life, as without lawyers like yourself who will take the risk of taking on the "untouchables" we would not have kept our girl on track or most importantly, alive. The road for her is still to be traveled, but this will assist in making the journey less troubled, and we hope with time and continued therapy she will see herself as a complete person and not as a shadow of who she could be.

    You will be forever in our thoughts.

    TJ

  • Yes indeed, thank you Vivian for your perseverance and dedication in doing whatever you can to bring about some justice in the absence of a full ecclesiastical council/court to judge publicly those who have violated not only the natural law, but the law of God in whose name these violations have taken place.

    Kathleen

  • Thank you for what you did, what you said and who you are, your thoughtfulness will always be remembered with more gratitude that you could ever know.

    Cheryl

  • As a mother, I write to express my gratitude to you and your team for the support of my daughter following her sexual assault three years ago.  Although the bloke who assaulted her was not charged the dollars being awarded to her following your intervention certainly acknowledges the wrong that was done – and will I hope, help her to move on.  Thank you for the work you do.  With much gratitude and appreciation.

    PS

  • You are a wonderful warrior for truth and justice.

    Mary

  • Everything is different now.  My journey is over now.

    KF
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