RAF lawyers: finding legal help for a claim

Official RAF information allows a person to lodge a claim directly or to use a lawyer. Professional assistance may be worth considering when the facts are disputed, significant time has passed, correspondence is unclear, or the matter involves a child, a dependant, serious injury or complex financial records.

These examples do not mean that every matter requires a lawyer. A legal practitioner must review the specific circumstances before explaining what assistance they can provide.

1. Write down the type of help you need and the basic accident information you have.
2. Search the Legal Practice Council register for practising attorneys in your area.
3. Ask whether the practitioner handles Road Accident Fund and personal-injury matters.
4. Confirm the firm’s contact details independently before sending sensitive information.
5. Speak to more than one practitioner if you need to compare communication and terms.

• Confirm the practitioner's practising status on the Legal Practice Council register.
• Check that names, firm details and contact information match across the documents you receive.
• Ask for the mandate, fees and possible costs to be explained in writing.
• Do not hand over irreplaceable originals without understanding why they are needed and receiving a record.
• Pause if you are pressured to sign immediately or promised a guaranteed result.

RAF Guide offers an optional form through which you may request contact about possible legal assistance. A request may be shared with an identified legal practitioner or firm according to the consents you select. The practitioner must independently decide whether they can assist.