Law Reform & Policy Commentary
This page offers commentary on legal costs and reform from a client-side perspective. It is general information, not legal advice.
Independent insights on legal costs, consumer protections, and access to justice - always from the client’s side.
At Clean Law, we don’t just oversee cases - we contribute to the bigger picture. Our commentary connects individual client protection with wider law reform.
We focus on how fee models, escrow, and governance affect ordinary people caught in litigation.
Because when legal structures change, so does your safety.
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Regulators in Tasmania and Victoria caution that ‘no win, no fee’ agreements do not mean ‘no cost’ (see the Legal Profession Board of Tasmania fact sheet and the Victorian Legal Services Board & Commissioner’s guidance).
Court cases show clients can win damages but take home very little after fees. Examples are included in the case studies on our homepage and in the Resources section below.
Our position: clearer disclosure rules and mandatory escrow protections should apply to safeguard clients.
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Escrow is common in property sales, but rare in litigation.
We argue it should become standard in client-lawyer agreements, ensuring funds only move with client approval.
Escrow protects against bill shock, liens, and being “locked in” with the wrong lawyer.
Escrow is the safety vault of litigation.
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Few firms choose extra safeguards such as to ACNC reporting, federal audits, and independent oversight. Clean Law supports broader adoption of governance standards across the profession.
Few firms voluntarily subject themselves
Clean Law calls for broader governance standards across the profession.
Greater transparency = fewer conflicts of interest, safer outcomes for clients.
We live the safeguards.
Independent Sources
Victorian Legal Services Board & Commissioner - guidance on ‘No win - No fee’ cost agreements
Queensland Legal Services Commission - ‘No win-no fee’ costs agreement: Information for consumers
Tasmanian Legal Profession Board – “No Win No Fee” Fact Sheet
NSW Court of Appeal – Todorovska v Brydens [2022]
Australian Government Productivity Commission - Access to justice arrangements
Law reform influences client safety. Clean Law’s safeguards already reflect what reform bodies recommend: escrow, fixed fees, independent oversight, and ACNC audits.
If YOU save, WE win.
If your case DRAGS, we lose.