Best Law Firms Australia

Best Law Firms in Geelong

Updated 22 September 2026

Law firms in Geelong act in matters heard at the Geelong Magistrates' Court on Railway Terrace and at circuit sittings of the Federal Circuit and Family Court in the Geelong Law Courts Complex, with family law filing and probate going to Melbourne. Compare firms below by practice area, then check whether your matter is heard in Geelong or Melbourne.

Most everyday legal matters from Geelong start locally: criminal charges, civil claims up to $100,000, intervention orders and family law hearings on circuit dates. Property work is handled without a court. The grid ranks firms for each area, including Family Lawyers in Geelong and Conveyancers in Geelong.

Law firms in Geelong by practice area

Family Lawyers

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  1. 1EAS Legal Geelong★★★★★ 5.0 (198)
  2. 2Loftgood Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (142)
  3. 3Ben von Einem & Associates★★★★★ 5.0 (118)

Conveyancers

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  1. 1Geelong Property Conveyancing★★★★★ 5.0 (604)
  2. 2Jeannette Ernst Conveyancing Professionals★★★★★ 5.0 (173)
  3. 3Red Tree Conveyancing Geelong★★★★★ 5.0 (144)

Which courts and tribunals are in Geelong?

Geelong's court work is centred on the Railway Terrace law courts.

Court What it hears Where
Magistrates' Court of Victoria Criminal matters, civil disputes up to $100,000, family violence and personal safety intervention orders Geelong Magistrates' Court, Railway Terrace
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Divorce, parenting and property cases on circuit dates Geelong Law Courts Complex, Railway Terrace (circuit only, no filing)
County Court of Victoria Serious indictable offences, larger civil claims Sits in regional centres on circuit and at 250 William Street, Melbourne
Supreme Court of Victoria The most serious crimes, major civil claims, probate Melbourne

The Geelong Magistrates' Court also runs a Koori Court for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants and the Assessment and Referral Court for people with a mental illness or cognitive impairment.

Which Geelong matters go to Melbourne?

  • Family law filing: every application is filed online or at the Melbourne registry, 305 William Street. Hearings not listed for a Geelong circuit are heard in Melbourne.
  • Probate: granted by the Supreme Court of Victoria.
  • VCAT disputes, such as co-ownership and owners corporation matters, are lodged with the statewide tribunal.

Before a parenting case is filed, parents generally need a family dispute resolution certificate under section 60I of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), unless an exception such as family violence or urgency applies. A Geelong family lawyer can check whether an exception fits.

Firms that practise across both cities are compared on Law Firms in Melbourne.

Where can you get free legal help in Geelong?

Free help in Geelong comes from Victoria Legal Aid's regional office and its statewide phone and chat services.

  1. Victoria Legal Aid has a regional office in Geelong that gives family law advice and, where eligible, grants of aid.
  2. Legal Help, Victoria Legal Aid's free phone line, 1300 792 387, runs from 8 am to 6 pm on weekdays, and Legal Help Chat is available online.
  3. Consumer Affairs Victoria provides free information on buying and selling property and a public register of licensed conveyancers.

Appointments are recommended before visiting a Victoria Legal Aid office. Our guide to Free Legal Advice in Australia explains who qualifies for a grant of aid.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the Geelong Magistrates' Court?

The Geelong Magistrates' Court is on Railway Terrace, Geelong. It hears criminal matters, civil disputes up to $100,000 and intervention orders, and runs a Koori Court and the Assessment and Referral Court.

Can I file family law papers in Geelong?

No. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia sits on circuit at the Geelong Law Courts Complex but has no filing counter there. Applications are lodged through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or at the Melbourne registry, 305 William Street.

Is there a Legal Aid office in Geelong?

Yes. Victoria Legal Aid has a regional office in Geelong that gives family law advice and, for eligible people, grants of legal aid.