How MatterPath works

The MatterPath process in six steps

The process separates information gathering, comparison and disclosure so that choosing a firm remains a consumer decision. A result is not a legal finding and does not mean a firm has agreed to act.

• Describe the matter by answering guided factual questions and identifying practical preferences.
• Review the organised summary and correct anything that is incomplete or inaccurate.
• MatterPath may compare the stated requirements with verified profile information for participating firms.
• Review potentially relevant firms and the stated reason each may fit the selected requirements.
• Choose a firm and review the information proposed for disclosure.
• Actively authorise disclosure. The selected firm then independently decides whether it can assist.

Describe and organise the matter

The assessment asks about the type of help sought, jurisdiction, key events, practical preferences and information relevant to potential suitability. Questions are designed to organise factual context, not to diagnose a legal claim, determine merit or predict an outcome.

The summary gives the consumer a chance to review what has been recorded. Keep descriptions factual and avoid uploading more sensitive or third-party information than is reasonably necessary. If the matter is urgent, contact a qualified lawyer or official service directly rather than waiting to complete the assessment.

Review potentially relevant participating firms

MatterPath may compare selected requirements with information held in verified participating-firm profiles, such as practice areas, service jurisdictions, consultation modes, languages and availability. The reason shown for a suggestion should identify the relevant factors rather than claim that the firm is the best.

Not every legal area or location will have a participating firm, and no result is guaranteed. A suggestion does not assess the legal merits, create a lawyer-client relationship or confirm that the firm has capacity. Consumers may use other lawyer directories, Legal Aid or community services instead.

You control identifying-information disclosure

Viewing a firm does not itself give that firm identifying information. The consumer chooses a firm, reviews the proposed disclosure and completes the active consent step before the selected firm receives the authorised information. Do not authorise disclosure until the payload is understood and unnecessary detail has been corrected or removed where the workflow permits.

Consent should be informed and voluntary. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner explains that merely telling someone about a proposed handling activity is not necessarily consent. MatterPath's full Privacy Notice explains its purposes, service providers, legal disclosures and privacy-request pathways.

The law firm makes an independent decision

After consumer-authorised disclosure, the selected firm assesses conflicts, expertise, jurisdiction, capacity and its own engagement requirements. It may request further information, offer an appointment, explain a proposed scope and cost arrangement, or decide that it cannot assist.

A MatterPath suggestion or introduction is not an acceptance. The firm becomes the consumer's lawyer only if the firm and consumer separately establish the required engagement. MatterPath cannot direct the firm's professional judgement or guarantee when it will respond.

Privacy, confidentiality and legal professional privilege

MatterPath uses consumer information to provide the platform functions described in its Privacy Notice. Privacy protections, confidentiality and legal professional privilege are different concepts. Information submitted to MatterPath may not be protected by legal professional privilege.

The Law Council of Australia explains that privilege generally protects qualifying confidential lawyer-client communications made for the dominant purpose of legal advice or legal services. Whether privilege applies can be legally complex. Using MatterPath does not itself create a lawyer-client relationship with MatterPath, and users should not assume every platform communication is privileged.

How participating firms may pay MatterPath

Participating law firms may pay fixed MatterPath membership or advertising fees. For eligible non-personal-injury matters, a separate accepted-introduction fee may apply to the law firm. For personal injury and compensation matters, MatterPath does not charge a law firm per claimant or accepted introduction, by claim value, by legal fees or by outcome. Consumers choose which firm may receive their identifying information.

Commercial payment does not determine legal merit, guarantee a firm's acceptance or make a paid firm objectively superior. Where paid advertising affects public visibility, it should be identified as Sponsored or Featured and not described as neutral matching.

Personal Injury Advertising Membership is A$299 per month from signup. No founding discount or accepted-introduction fee applies. Membership does not purchase access to a particular claimant and does not guarantee any minimum number of enquiries, introductions, clients or revenue.

When to contact a lawyer or official service directly

MatterPath is not an emergency or crisis service. Call 000 if police, fire or ambulance help is needed immediately. A person facing imminent police questioning, custody, court, family violence, removal from Australia or another serious event should seek direct assistance from a qualified lawyer or relevant official service.

Some legal processes have strict and potentially short time limits. Speak directly with a qualified lawyer or the relevant official service as soon as possible. Starting, saving or completing an assessment does not pause a deadline, preserve rights or guarantee contact from a firm.