Are you looking for a Chinese speaking lawyer in Canberra? Read through our list of some of Canberra’s most recommended. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Australian law is diverse as it is complex. Encompassing many facets of everyday life both personal and professional it exists to provide a definitive framework of how things should be done. As our social and commercial landscapes evolve, so too do our laws. This everchanging dynamic can make understanding its implications challenging.
Whether you have a from a Chinese background and speak English as a second language or, a foreign national, a language barrier can further complicate proceedings. When it comes to navigating such complex legal matters, working with a leading Chinese bilingual lawyer is essential.
Not only are these solicitors and barristers well versed in Australian law, they can also fluently converse in Mandarin. Regardless of need, engaging a legal representative with whom you can communicate in your first language will make doing so much more seamless. Finding a lawyer that appreciates the linguistic and cultural nuances of your situation can help to ensure the best possible outcome.
But how do you decide on a firm to engage for legal matters, and importantly one with Chinese bilingual teams? Fortunately, we have hunted high and low for some of the best in breed Mandarin speaking lawyers in the Canberra region. Read on below to find out more.
What makes a great Chinese bilingual lawyer?
Finding the right bilingual Chinese lawyer works well on many fronts. Not only can it fast track your proceeding and minimise stress; it can also remove common challenges presented by language barriers. Here is what we think separates the best bilingual Chinese lawyers from the rest:
- Reputable & experienced. Law is an incredibly complex field requiring tertiary education, professional qualifications, and formal admission to practise in the industry. Beyond such mandatories, the best Chinese bilingual lawyers are also reputable and incredibly experienced. They not only have years – if not decades of experience and are well across legislation. Standing out amongst their peers and personally recommended, the best remain highly sought after by clients.
- Specialist knowledge. Legal parameters of all facets of Australian and state or territory law are wide as they are diverse. Seeking counsel from a lawyer or legal team specialised in your area of need is important. A specialised lawyer can provide a greater understanding of laws and possess the relationships required therein. Moreover, as many areas of law are linked, consider a lawyer equipped work in multiple areas.
- Client centric. The best bilingual Chinese lawyers place their clients front and centre. Understanding that each client has differing goals and needs, they work to define then attain them. Equally, they believe in striving for the best client outcome, rather than simply accepting the first reasonable offer.
- Bilingual proficiency. As the name implies, the best Chinese bilingual lawyers are linguistically proficient in both English and Mandarin. This proficiency extends across all facets of communication and in both verbal and written means. Services here go beyond simply interpreting, ensuring documentation is provided in the native tongue hence removing ambiguity and ensuring understanding. Moreover, many Mandarin speaking lawyers are also fluent in other languages such as Cantonese.
- Culturally sensitive. Not do Chinese speaking lawyers offer bilingual communication, they are also more likely to understand cultural nuances. Many pride themselves on a deep understanding of the Chinese community, both here and in China. Importantly, they are familiar with community needs and address these with cultural sensitivity in mind.
The best Chinese bilingual lawyers in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and maintain a minimum average of 4/5 stars on both Google and Facebook reviews.
KJB Law
KJB Law is a modern and progressive firm with a long and respected presence within the local Canberra community. Principals, Andrew Freer, Des Moore and Jo Twible, strive to present the human side of the legal profession, making the law more approachable and easier to understand.
As a general legal practice, they offer specialised solicitors across a range of areas including estate planning, family law, conveyancing, and commercial law. Within this team Mandarin speaking associate Susu Huang, is a commercial law specialist practising across conveyancing, off the plan purchases, commercial leasing, and small business transactions.
Ray Good-fella shared this experience on Google, “I used KJB Law for the first time for a recent purchase of a pre-existing house. Susu was my solicitor, and I was extremely impressed with her professionalism. She explained every step in detail and kept me informed throughout the process. She returned all correspondence promptly and I never was stressed about the purchase. I would definitely use KJB Law again for conveyancing matters and especially Susu.”
Chamberlains
Full-service law firm Chamberlains are known for delivering innovative client centric solutions. They take pride in their experienced and highly specialised teams, who are innate problem solvers and creative thinkers.
With offices in Canberra, Sydney, Perth, and Newcastle they address multiple areas of law. Within their team are two bilingual Mandarin speaking senior lawyers, Elvira Limpid and David Fan. Specialising in corporate and commercial along with building and construction law respectively, they are a great choice.
Huimin Li shared this review on Google, “This is the most professional and responsible team I have ever seen, many thanks to Ryan and Enrica for their patience and help.”
Maxwell & Co
With close to 100 years of combined legal experience, Maxwell & Co Lawyers pride themselves on delivering outstanding results with a personal touch. Their large team of Chinese bilingual lawyers cover a wide range of services from commercial, building and construction, conveyancing and leasing, employment, estate, migration and family law.
With offices in Canberra and Sydney, and team of multilingual lawyers who are native speakers of Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and English, Maxwell & Co Lawyers are certainly worth a visit.
Daniella Koulikov shared this review on Google, “A huge thank you to Megan and Mina for all of their assistance. They were very helpful, prompt to respond and overall did an amazing job. I would highly recommend them to anyone going through the process of purchasing a home in the ACT.”
KJB Law
Modern and progressive, KJB Law firm have a long and respected presence within the local Canberra community. Principals, Andrew Freer, Des Moore and Jo Twible, strive to present the human side of the legal profession, making the law more approachable and easier to understand.
As a general legal practice, they offer specialised solicitors across a range of areas including estate planning, family law, conveyancing, and commercial law. Within this team Mandarin speaking associate Susu Huang, is property lawyer and an ACT and NSW conveyancing specialist practising across off the plan purchases and commercial leasing.
Erin Driscoll shared this insight on Google, “We used Susu as our lawyer for our recent property settlement for a purchase. She provided outstanding service and is everything one would want for a property lawyer and conveyancer. I highly recommend her for your conveyance.”
Alliance Family Law
Family law specialists, Alliance Family Law are well known for their legal separation, divorce, mediation, property settlement, custody, and binding financial agreement services. With a focus on understanding, empathy and support they have help many clients within the region.
They favour careful planning and a meticulous approach that is reflective of individual circumstances and ideal outcomes. Within this team, dedicated and experienced associate lawyer, Angela Li, is a bilingual Mandarin speaker.
Katy Garret had this to say on Google, “Compassion matched with expertise was the perfect combination given the circumstances. I had a great outcome and really appreciated the friendly service. Angela Li was amazing. My deepest appreciation to her for her dedication to my family law matter.”
Are you looking for more recommendations of legal services in Canberra? Check out our articles on the best business lawyers, best wills and estates lawyers, best commercial lawyers, best divorce lawyers, best criminal lawyers, best personal injury lawyers, best consumer lawyers, best DUI lawyers, best bankruptcy lawyers, best employment lawyers, best conveyancing lawyers, best workers compensation lawyers and the best sports lawyers in Canberra.
Or, if you’re looking to resolve your situation outside of the court system, our article on the best mediation and conflict resolution services in Canberra may be helpful.
Your experience with Chinese bilingual lawyers in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the Chinese bilingual lawyers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications should I look for in a lawyer?
In Australia, lawyers gain their qualifications through accomplishing a Bachelor of Law degree, completing several years of practical training in the field, and successfully gaining a Practicing Certificate. This ensures that all qualified lawyers not only know the law when they enter the workforce, but also come armed with years of experience before they've even officially served as a lawyer.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
While solicitors and barristers are both lawyers, the difference is in the type of legal work they do. Generally, when legal advice or representation is needed most people turn to a solicitor. For more complex issues that will be heard in a higher court a barrister may be engaged. Barristers then advocate on behalf of their clients in court, often working alongside solicitors. For greater clarity contact your local law firm.
How much does a lawyer cost?
As with most legal fees, costs tend to be linked to the seniority of practitioners and the complexity of the situation they are assisting with. A good rule of thumb is that the more legal input required, and the more time involved, and the higher the expense. Some law firms may offer a fixed fee structure, some offer a no win no fee structure, while others work to an hourly rate. Hourly rates typically range from $250 per hour for a junior lawyer to upwards of $1,000 per hour for a senior partner or principal. Additional charges may also apply for things like extra meetings or court attendances. Always review the payment structure for your lawyer to understand how they charge, and any additional billable components therein.
Will I need a certified translator?
In some instances, a NAATI certified legal translator may be required to ensure important documents are translated accurately. This may be particularly relevant for translating identify or immigration documents, contracts and agreements, affidavits or witness statements. Speak to your legal team for further guidance in this area.
How should I prepare to meet with my lawyer?
To get the most out of the first meeting with your lawyer a little preparation can help. If possible, conduct some independent research about your legal problem and note specific questions as a guide. Then, gather and organise any important documents, both copies and originals. Finally prepare a chronology or timeline of events related to your issue. If an interpreter is needed this may need to be organised and paid by the client. Be sure to contact your lawyer ahead of time for any specifics required for this first meeting.
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