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  • 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.

Team

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.

Dr Vivian Waller

Principal Solicitor
BA (Hons) LLB SJD
Vivian Waller

 

Dr Vivian Waller is a solicitor and the principal of Waller Legal, a legal practice dedicated to looking after victims of crime and those who have endured sexual assault or child abuse.

She was admitted to legal practice in 1995 and has represented victim/survivors of sexual assault for nearly 20 years.

Viv graduated from law at Monash University where she later taught law and lectured in politics before being admitted to practice in 1995. Viv has completed a doctorate at the University of Melbourne in civil claims for compensation for childhood sexual assault and in particular the unique psychological effects of childhood sexual assault and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her thesis was a comprehensive analysis of limitation periods (time limits) in sexual assault litigation.

Viv completed her articles at Slater & Gordon in 1994 and worked at that firm for four years. Whilst in that role she worked on the early sexual abuse cases against Catholic Clergy including cases against St John Of God and the Christian Brothers. In addition to this she worked on personal injury, medical negligence and public liability matters. Upon moving to the class action department she worked on international class action litigation including breast implant litigation proceedings issued Melbourne, Sydney and Texas and the Dow Corning Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

She was formerly a Senior Associate at Maurice Blackburn where she worked for 10 years. In 1997 she commenced work for former wards of the state and has acted for many state wards assisting them to seek justice and compensation. She commenced this career long project with a group of cases in relation to mistreatment at the old Ballarat Orphanage. She has acted for state wards harmed in children's homes across Victoria and this remains an important part of her current practice. While at Maurice Blackburn she set up the Sexual Assault Unit, Australia's first legal practice dedicated solely to the provision of legal services to those who have been sexual assaulted. She continues do to this work in her own firm.

In 2005 the Victorian Women Lawyers bestowed upon her an Achievement Award for her services to victims of sexual assault. Viv acted for Carol Stingel in her successful High Court Appeal against Geoff Clark.

Establishing her own legal firm in February 2007, Viv continues her work for those who have been the victim of a crime or endured sexual assault or abuse. Waller Legal represents hundreds of clients each year, helping them to access justice, financial assistance and compensation.

In the pursuit of justice for sexual assault victims Viv has taken action against individual offenders, footballers, doctors, hospitals, teachers, social workers, psychiatrists, priests, religious orders, Christian Brothers, Salesian Brothers, Franciscan Friars, children's homes and orphanages, government departments, childcare centres and schools. Sadly, Catholic Clergy are vastly over represented as Defendants in her practice.

Viv is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and Victorian Women Lawyers.

In The News
Testimonials

  • 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

  • You are a wonderful warrior for truth and justice.

    Mary

  • 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

  • Dear Viv and Staff, thank you so much. You are all wonderful.

    E, L & J

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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
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