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.

Contact

Waller legal represents hundreds of people who have been subjected to physical and sexual assault at the hands of Catholic Clergy. Waller Legal also look after former wards of the state who were abused "in care" in various children's homes and orphanages.

Contact Us

Our New Client Inquiry Process

We have a New Client Inquiry team made up of specially trained solicitors, law clerks and consultants.  There are no call centres at Waller Legal.

We have a team member rostered on every business day to take that first call when you are ready to make it.  If our team members are already on a call our receptionist will make a telephone appointment for later that day or the next business day.

Your first telephone call with us will take about half an hour.  You don’t have to go into the details of the abuse, in fact, we prefer that you don’t at this time.  We just need a summary of what happened and we will have a few questions for you.  We will also ask for your instructions to investigate your case.  The phone call is free and there is no obligation to pursue a claim.

 

Investigation and information gathering

We will then investigate your matter.  Your inquiry will usually stay with the same team member throughout the investigation process.  He or she will gather any relevant materials, such as police statements, school records, state ward files or documents about previous claims.  We will research our considerable database and archives for any supporting witness statements or other corroboration.  We may have already acted in many matters involving the same offender or institution.  If we haven’t, we will do our homework ahead of time.  Depending on the matter and how long it takes to gather the relevant information, the investigation stage can take a month or two.  We will then give you an honest assessment about what help we are able to offer.  If we don’t think we can help, we will tell you.  If we can help, it’s only then that we need to take a detailed statement from you.

 

Appointment

We know that talking about sexual assault is hard.  We will obtain any statement that you might have already given, such as police statement.  You will be offered a face to face appointment or, if you prefer, a telephone appointment, so that we can take down the details.  Some people prefer telephone as they can remain in a safe space and perhaps be with a support person or companion animal (you are also welcome to bring your support person or companion animal to our office for any of your appointments).  If you have difficulty with travel, or live in a remote location, please let us know so that suitable arrangements can be made.  We want to get to know you, to understand what happened and the impact that it has had on your life.  We spend 1 to 2 hours with you to make sure we understand your circumstances and have answered all your questions.  You will later be introduced to the solicitor who will have the conduct of your matter and you will be provided with written advice.

If you are a mental health care worker, treating doctor or community agency – please feel free to call our office to discuss any potential referral.

If you would like to know more about our working relationship with clients, please read our guide to working with Waller Legal.  

Meetings by appointment only

2/57 Keele Street,
Collingwood, VIC 3066.

Telephone: (03) 9415 9999

Monday - Friday from 9am -1pm and 2pm - 5pm

Contact us via email: info@wallerlegal.com.au*

*Please remember to to include .au in our email address to ensure that we receive your communication.

 

 

 

In pursuit of justice
In The News
Testimonials

  • It has been a long journey trying to get the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to be held accountable for how they looked after me as a child many years ago.  Words cannot express how grateful I am to Viv Waller and her team who work tirelessly behind the scenes in getting justice.  For others who are considering seeking remuneration again an organisation that failed to look after your safety and well-being, I have no hesitation in recommending Waller Legal. 

    DR

  • 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

  • What Dr Waller has achieved for me is nothing short of a miracle.  At the age of 60 I was feeling very upset at the abuse that I had encountered as a very young girl at the hands of a Salesian Brother.  My dealings with the Salesians many years later to try and resolve the matter left a very bitter taste in my mouth.  In fact, they made me feel abused all over again.  Vivian Waller was referred to me by Broken Rites, and that was the day my life changed.  I am so grateful that my words feel a little trite.

    Vivian has a no nonsense approach, keeps you on track, is honest, and like a dog with a bone, she keeps you going to have the desired outcome.  The world needs more Vivians.  Myself and my family are forever grateful to you.  Thanks mate, you’re my hero.

    Cathie

  • Thank you so much from me personally.  This decision has actually turned my life back around.  I didn’t realise how much my heart was hurting from anger and disbelief in the system.

    My heart is lighter and more at peace thanks to you all.  As a family we are unable to find suitable words on how much your efforts, consideration and concern means to us.  At last someone fought and believed in us.  Truly you have given us all so much peace.

    WK

  • Thank you Vivian, I really appreciate all your help, you have given me a second chance in life.

    RF

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Viv Waller spent many hours over months gathering, sorting and preparing our evidence and my statement - a statement which was webcast around Australia and the world. 

    Viv Waller has spent her professional career solely helping and assisting people who were sexually assaulted as children by those in religious organisations.  In so many cases she had taken the power from the perpetrator and given it back to the survivor.

    Viv Waller’s work is essential.  Her guidance, abilities and professionalism lead me through a most overwhelming and daunting task which I can only thank her for.

    Chrissie Foster
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