03 9415 9999 03 9415 9999
  • Catholic Clergy Claims
    Catholic Clergy Claims
    Dr Vivian Waller has acted in claims against Catholic Clergy since 1995.
  • 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.
  • The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
    The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
    Established in January 2013, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse investigated how institutions like schools, churches and sporting groups responded to allegations of child sexual abuse.

The Work We Do

Waller Legal is a high profile legal practice dedicated to assisting survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse.

The Work We Do

We help people obtain compensation for the psychological and physical injuries caused by institutional childhood sexual abuse. 

Civil Litigation

Where litigation is in your best interest, we will walk with you every step of the way.  We will give you independent and fearless advice including an honest appraisal of the pros and cons and the costs.

We are experienced in litigation in the Supreme, County and Magistrates Courts in Victoria. 

In 2005 our Principal Solicitor, Dr Vivian Waller, ran a successful High Court Appeal on behalf of Carol Stingel, who won the right to sue her abuser Geoff Clark.

The ‘Betrayal of Trust’ report that followed the 2013 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other non-governmental organisations recommended legislative change in Victoria.

The Limitations of Actions Amendment (Criminal Child Abuse) Act 2015, introduced as law on 1 July 2015, removed the limitation of actions period for all relevant child abuse claims.

This means that even though your abuse may have occurred many years ago it is still possible to bring a compensation claim.

Out of Court Settlements (or Alternative Dispute Resolution)

We also help people settle their claims out of court.  We’ve resolved lots of cases out of court against institutions such as the Salvation Army, and we have taken cases against the Scouts and the YMCA. We have resolved hundreds of cases for clients who have been sexually abused by Catholic Clergy, particularly Christian Brothers and Catholic priests.

Clients we assist

Survivors of Catholic Clergy Abuse

We assist people who have been sexually abused by members of the Catholic Clergy, or by lay people associated with Catholic Institutions. This includes people who have been sexually abused by members of the Christian Brothers, Diocese of Ballarat, Salesians of Don Bosco, and more.

State Wards

We look after former state wards who were sexually abused while in residential institutions, children’s homes and orphanages.  Dr Vivian Waller has been running state ward cases since the mid 1990’s, when she ran claims on behalf of clients abused as children at the Ballarat Orphanage.  Our work with care leavers has continued to be a very important part of our practice.

Indigenous Australians

We act for Indigenous Australians in relation to abuse in missions, schools and orphanages.  

TESTIMONIALS

Read some words of praise from previous clients.

In pursuit of justice
In The News
Testimonials

  • 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

  • You are a wonderful warrior for truth and justice.

    Mary

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

    RF

  • I would like to thank you for acting on behalf in regards to the Christian Brothers.  Your logo “in pursuit of justice” says it all.  I didn’t know what to expect and very nearly withdrew from the whole process, but I am happy I didn’t.

    The most rewarding aspect for me was the sensitivity and warmth shown by you in relation to a very complex and emotional matter.  Also the knowledge that there are people willing to stand up on behalf of people like me has a healing effect.  I would also like to thank your staff for their warm and professional matter in this whole process.  You said to me during the phone appointment that you counted it a privilege to act for people like me.  Well Dr Waller, the privilege was all mine.  I wish you all the best in the future.

    JC

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
Back To Top
Call Waller Legal