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Referral Policy

Published: 25 September 2025   |   Reviewed: 17 May 2026

As lawyers, our paramount duty is to the court and the administration of justice. Within that duty, our loyalty is to our clients, and it is safeguarded by independence. We never take referral fees, commissions, or hidden payments from courtroom lawyers or agencies.

Why this matters

Our duty to the court ensures fairness and integrity in every matter. Within that framework, our role is to protect clients from hidden conflicts of interest. That’s why we publish this policy: so the boundaries of referral independence are visible from the outset.

Our position on referrals

• No private referral agencies (by default). We do not endorse or direct clients to private referral services. Many are funded by commissions from the lawyers they list, creating hidden conflicts.

• Neutral public resources first. When clients need a starting point, we guide them only to impartial, public-interest services such as:

  • Law Society of NSW Solicitor Referral Service

  • Community Legal Centres NSW

  • Multicultural NSW legal services

  • Legal Aid NSW (where eligible)

When clients are unable to shortlist

Some clients prefer us to save them time by building a shortlist. We may assist — always with independence intact:

• Clean Law never selects firms of its own accord.

• Names come from neutral public referral services.

• The client approves the shortlist before circulation.

• We then handle administration: circulating the case analysis, collecting proposals, and presenting them side by side.

Private referral agencies: by exception only

If a client specifically asks about a private referral agency, we may assist on a case-by-case basis - but only after the agency itself has provided written confirmation that it receives no financial benefit from referrals. We disclose this confirmation to the client in full. This pathway is always by exception, never by default.

Your choice, always

Our duty to the court is paramount. Within that duty, our loyalty to clients means protecting their independence at every step. Escrow, stage approvals, and audits ensure that clients remain in control, free from hidden influence.

Our paramount duty is to the court. Within that duty, our role is to protect client independence.