VGSO expertise

The Victoria Government Solicitor's Office provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector.

We provide responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector.

We speak your language — as part of the Victorian Public Sector (VPS), it's our language too. We share your values, and we understand the policy and accountability frameworks in which you operate. Our ability to see the big picture and understand the complexities of government means we provide tailored and independent advice to help you serve the State of Victoria.

Your challenges and legal issues may be unique, but our long history of advising the VPS means we're always best placed to help you find strategic and practical solutions.

We have a team of over 180 lawyers with a unique blend of government expertise and commercial know-how who are able to work with government in-house legal teams to achieve better outcomes for government to position you now and into the future.

Administrative Decision Making and Review

We provide administrative law advice to Victorian agencies, departments and decision makers and act in related litigation.

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution (including personal injury)

VGSO acts for the Victorian Government across a broad range of civil claims including those that are of high public interest and involve sensitive subject matters.

Commercial, contracts and procurement

The VGSO advises Victorian government departments and agencies on all stages of their procurement and contracting processes.

Commercial Litigation

VGSO acts exclusively for Victorian Government departments, agencies and authorities across a broad range of commercial litigation matters including complex regulatory disputes.

Compulsory Acquisition and Compensation

We provide advice and litigation services in relation to compulsory acquisition and compensation matters under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Constitutional Law and Parliament

The VGSO provides expert assistance to Victorian Government departments and agencies in matters raising constitutional issues.

Construction and Infrastructure Projects

VGSO has deep knowledge and extensive experience in the core areas of law relating to public construction and infrastructure projects.

Coronial Inquests and Investigations

VGSO has extensive experience acting on behalf of the Victorian government departments and agencies in coronial inquiries and investigations.

Disciplinary proceedings and prosecutions

We assist regulators to enforce and prosecute offences under Victorian law.

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity

VGSO's Human Rights and Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety teams have expertise on the application of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

Information management, privacy and data protection

As a major legal provider to government and its agencies, VGSO understands the challenges of applying privacy and data laws to an ever-changing technological landscape.

Interpretation and development of legislation

The VGSO works closely with departments, agencies and Parliamentary Counsel on drafting, implementing and interpreting legislation, legislative instruments, guidelines and statutory rules.

Investigations services

The VGSO conducts and provides advice on the conduct of investigations in an integrity, regulatory and administrative law context that translate for the VPS into savings that far outweigh their costs.

Legal project management and governance

The VGSO provides end-to-end legal project management services to assist departments and agencies with projects and transactions, litigation, commissions and inquiries and other matters.

Native Title

VGSO is the exclusive adviser to the Victorian state government on land justice issues including native title and traditional owner settlements.

Planning and Environment

VGSO provides services on all aspects of planning, environment, land valuation and compulsory acquisition, building, heritage and Aboriginal cultural heritage regulation, and natural resources.

Policing and Emergency Management

The VGSO provides independent legal advice to the office of the Chief Commissioner of Police - and independent and authoritative legal advice on operational matters for Victoria Police.

Property and developments

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office advises government in property, planning, environment, land assembly, divestment and roads, native title and compulsory acquisition issues.

Public financial management

We provide expert legal advice to government departments and agencies on Victorian public financial management.

Public Sector Governance and Integrity

VGSO has expertise in all facets of integrity and governance work for the public sector, including providing advice and litigation assistance to government Departments and statutory bodies

Royal Commissions & Inquiries

The VGSO specialises in Royal Commissions and Inquiries and has a dedicated team working to assist departments and agencies with Commissions and Inquiries.

Technology and intellectual property

Our legal services range from significant long-term projects, to the transactional acquisition of intellectual property and ICT systems on a standing offer or one-off basis.

Workplace Relations and Occupational Health and Safety

VGSO's is uniquely placed to advise the Victorian public sector on all aspects of employee relations, industrial relations, discrimination and occupational health and safety law.

VGSO legal training

VGSO provides legal training and tailored workshops for Victorian Public Sector employees.

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