# Methodology: how these law firm rankings are calculated

> The full scoring model: nine published criteria, the weight each carries in every category, the sources used, and how corrections are handled.

- Source: https://lawfirmrankings.com.au/methodology
- Publisher: Law Firm Rankings (lawfirmrankings.com.au)
- Last reviewed: August 2026 (2026-08-15)
- Scoring model: https://lawfirmrankings.com.au/methodology

## How scoring works

Every firm is rated out of 10 on each criterion. Each category applies its own weights, which always total 100. The weighted result is divided by 10 and expressed as a score out of 100. A firm rated 10 on every applicable criterion would score exactly 100. Where two firms tie, they are listed alphabetically.

## Overall consistency

Overall consistency is not a sixth scoring model. It is the average of a firm's ranks across the five category lists it appears in. Burt & Davies Lawyers is excluded from WorkCover and public liability because the firm does not act in those areas, so its average is taken only over the categories it competes in. A lower average rank means more consistent placement near the top of those lists. The overall figure is an average rank, not a score out of 100.

## The criteria

| Criterion | Definition |
| --- | --- |
| Claims process, start to finish | Whether the firm helps from the initiating notification onward, or only takes a file once the claim is running. |
| Cost protection and fee transparency | No Win No Fee terms, whether a capped-fee promise is given in writing, and how clearly deductions are explained up front. |
| Direct senior access and communication | Tailored advice from the lawyer running the file, against team-based or boiler-plate file handling. Response and update standards. |
| Contested claims experience | Track record taking disputed claims through conciliation, the Medical Panels, VCAT and the Magistrates', County and Supreme Courts. |
| Maximising compensation | Whether the firm works to a documented approach for identifying every head of loss rather than settling on the first reasonable offer. |
| Impairment benefits and WPI | Capability assessing Whole Person Impairment, selecting assessors, and advising on what must be factored into an impairment claim. |
| Comcare and Seacare claims | Whether the firm can run federal Comcare and Seacare schemes, not Victorian WorkCover alone. |
| Disputing IME reports and decisions | Experience challenging independent medical examiner reports and overturning unfair or unjust insurer decisions. |
| Client experience and reviews | Public client reviews, complaint patterns, and how the firm handles a claim that goes wrong. |

## Weights by category

| Criterion | WorkCover | TAC | Public Liability | Serious Injury | Rejected Claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Claims process, start to finish | 14% | 13% | 16% | — | 14% |
| Cost protection and fee transparency | 18% | 18% | 20% | 16% | 16% |
| Direct senior access and communication | 18% | 18% | 18% | 16% | 18% |
| Contested claims experience | 14% | 13% | 20% | 22% | 22% |
| Maximising compensation | 13% | 12% | 16% | 22% | 8% |
| Impairment benefits and WPI | 8% | 6% | — | 14% | — |
| Comcare and Seacare claims | 8% | — | — | — | — |
| Disputing IME reports and decisions | — | 14% | — | — | 16% |
| Client experience and reviews | 7% | 6% | 10% | 10% | 6% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |

## Sources

Publicly available material: firm websites and published costs disclosures, reported decisions of the Magistrates', County and Supreme Courts, VCAT and Medical Panel material, professional directories, and public client reviews.

## Ownership, funding and corrections

Published by Law Firm Rankings. No firm pays to be listed, ranked or removed. Rankings are general information, not legal advice.

Corrections, amendments or a request to remove a listing: use the contact form at https://lawfirmrankings.com.au/contact. Any firm listed can ask for its assessment to be reviewed, amended or removed.