Practical, personal legal advice for Adelaide families and businesses
A local firm that explains things clearly, quotes fixed fees up front, and answers the phone when you call — rather than passing you to whoever's free.
Started by two solicitors who wanted to practise law differently
Claire Bennett and Michael Vale founded the firm in 2004 after years at larger city practices, wanting to offer the same quality of advice without the hourly-rate anxiety that comes with it. Today the firm is five solicitors, still based in the Adelaide CBD, still picking up the phone themselves most mornings.
"Most people don't need a lawyer who sounds impressive. They need one who'll explain the situation plainly and give a straight answer about cost."
That's the standard we hold ourselves to on every matter, whether it's a five-minute question about a lease or a contested estate that's dragged on for years.
📞 Call (08) 0000 0000Areas of practice
Family Law
Separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, and property settlements, handled with clarity and without unnecessary conflict.
Wills & Estates
Fixed-fee wills, powers of attorney, probate, and estate administration — plans that hold up when they're needed.
Conveyancing & Property
Free contract review for buyers and sellers, fixed-fee conveyancing from contract to settlement.
Business & Commercial
Contracts, business structuring, and day-to-day legal support for small and growing businesses.
Employment Law
Advice for employers and employees on contracts, disputes, and workplace matters.
Litigation & Disputes
Debt recovery and civil disputes, with an emphasis on resolving matters before they reach court where possible.
The Bennett & Vale difference
Deep Local Knowledge
Based in the Adelaide CBD for over 20 years, working with families and business owners across SA.
Truly Personal Service
You deal directly with the solicitor handling your matter — not a rotating cast of juniors.
Transparent Fixed Fees
Clear, fixed pricing on most matters, agreed before we start any work.
Modern & Flexible
Meet in person or handle everything online, including e-signing and digital settlements.
Meet the solicitors
Claire Bennett
20+ years practising family law across South Australia, known for calm, straight-talking advice.
Michael Vale
Handles conveyancing and business law, with a focus on keeping transactions simple and on schedule.
Aisha Rahman
Specialises in estate planning and probate, helping families plan ahead with confidence.
"Fixed fee for our conveyancing, no surprises on the invoice, settled on time. Exactly what we needed as first home buyers."— J. Ho, Glenelg (fictional, illustrative review)
Common questions
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes — the first consultation is free for most matters, so you can understand your options before deciding how to proceed.
Do you charge fixed fees?
Where possible, yes. Conveyancing and wills are fixed-fee. For more complex matters like family law disputes, we'll give you a clear estimate upfront and keep you informed if scope changes.
Can I meet with you outside business hours?
We offer early morning and evening appointments on request, plus the option to handle most matters over phone or video call.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we offer instalment plans for family law and estate matters — ask us when you book your consultation.
Which areas do you service?
We primarily act for clients across greater Adelaide, with video and phone consultations available for regional SA clients.