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.

Learn More ›
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

  • 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

  • I feel so fortunate to have gone through this with you and your great team.

    The delicate way you approach very sensitive issues made this whole process a lot more comfortable than I would ever have imagined.  I will forever be grateful to you and your amazing team for taking my case.

    From me and all the other survivors, thank you so much.

    N,M,J

  • I do not think that words can fully express my gratitude, but I will try.  It took me a number of years to decide to proceed with legal action for my abuse claim.  I had heard about Waller Legal from a friend and I must say that all he said was correct, in that they are awesome, sympathetic, etc.  But not ever what he told me prepared me for the experience that I had dealing with Waller Legal.  Firstly, Elisa.  You are a lovely empathetic soul who I truly felt comfortable dealing with.  You were even able to make me laugh on my down days of going through and discussing legal issues pertaining to my case.  It was a pleasure dealing with you. Thank you so much.

    Vivian Waller you too are amazing both as a person and as a legal representative.  I felt so comfortable with you from our very first meeting.  You spoke like a sister to me, not just as a lawyer.  Your legal ability is truly outstanding and you represented me with 110% effort always.  You made the hearing easy for me, as I had total confidence in you.

    For everyone who is hesitant to make a claim against an abuser, please do not hesitate to have Vivian and her staff represent you.  Truly amazing people.  Thanks so much again.

    JF

  • Thank you so much for all of your hard work this year getting my VOCAT application together, and for the fantastic outcome. While I am still dealing with the emotional ramifications of what happened to me, I now feel like I have the means to continue rebuilding myself and my life. Thank you.

    CC

  • I would like to thank you for all you have done for me. The steps taken thus far have helped me greatly. Without your help I am not sure where I would be today, on behalf of myself and my family THANKYOU SO MUCH.

    Garry

  • Six years after the settlement:

    It has been a long and well-travelled road for our girl, but I never thought I would see the day when she is as happy as she is now.  I was so happy when she decided to study nursing!  The settlement that she received enabled her to study full time over the past three years without having to worry about working while studying.

    What happened to our daughter, and to us as a family, will never go away, however, our daughter has managed to pick up the fragments of her life and move on. The horrors of what have happened will not disappear, perhaps just fade as more joyful occasions occur in her life.

    I want all of you to know what a tower of strength and support you were to all of us and that without you, our daughter’s life would have turned out very differently.

    You are always in our thoughts with gratitude for what you achieved.

    TJ

  • Thank you so much for your efforts in this matter, and your patience with my frustrations as well.

    BQ

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

    KF

  • 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

  • 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
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