About Us

Best Hooper has a rich history and remains as one of Melbourne’s oldest law firms, dating back to 1886.

Over the years our clients have benefitted from our industry presence and pre-eminent reputation consisting of leading town planning and land development lawyers. Our future is led by the principles and values that have developed over the years, and which continue to evolve the practice today.

We recognise that value comes in all shapes and sizes, and we provide a point of difference by delivering a tailored service that targets each client’s needs and requirements. This may be through offering innovative and cost-effective fee structures, being outcome driven or using our industry experience to target commercial solutions.

We have long recognised a shift away from traditional legal structures and partner with our clients to provide a strategic and value-driven approach to facilitate the delivery of projects. We create an environment for our clients that facilitates property lifecycle.

OUR VALUES

In delivering our service we strive to perfect professionalism and client satisfaction while being efficient in our everyday practice. We recognise our staff without traditional restraints and take pride in having some of Victoria’s youngest and most innovative lawyers. We treat all persons with respectful and open communications.

A Recognised Leader

Best Hooper is recognised as a leader in its core areas of practice. Our clients benefit from direct access to Victoria’s pre-eminent town planning and development lawyers. We set ourselves apart from other law firms by creating synergies between our core areas of practices using our expertise across all areas of property, planning and land development law. This includes associated areas of practice within the property lifecycle, such as acquisitions, town planning, transactions, construction, retail and disputes.

Our clients are at the heart of what we do. Our structure means we think big with a small practice feel; always accessible and available. We offer legal services in a timely and efficient manner along with fee structures that are transparent, easy to understand and cost effective.

Our partners and lawyers are regularly part of major law reform in Australia and advise on significant infrastructure and land development matters as experts in each discipline.

PRACTICE

Best Hooper has been recognised for a number of awards including as a first-tier Town Planning and Land Development Law Firm in Doyle’s Guide, and other leading recognitions in the APAC Business Awards, Best Lawyers and Global Law Experts Annual Awards. Similarly, our lawyers are regularly recognised for their outstanding work in the legal and property industries.

TOWN PLANNING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

We provide advice to owners, developers and other parties on all aspects of town planning, local government and property development law, including:

  • Planning permit applications and reviews to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunals.
  • Section 173 agreements.
  • Enforcement orders and prosecutions.
  • Precinct structure plans, development plans and development contributions.
  • Amendments to planning schemes.
  • Infrastructure delivery.
  • Interpretation of restrictive covenants including applications for variation or removal.
  • Appearances at hearings and compulsory conferences.

We regularly represent and provide advice on infrastructure and land development projects in urban and rural Victoria. Our lawyers regularly appear as advocates in Panel Hearings, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and the Building Appeals Board.

PROPERTY LAW AND TRANSACTIONS

We offer advice on a number of matters relating to:

  • Sales and purchases of real property
  • Land subdivision and property development
  • Owners Corporations
  • Real estate leases and licences
  • Adverse possession

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

We conduct matters in both superior and lower court jurisdictions, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Building Appeals Board and any other forums on behalf of statutory authorities at disciplinary enquiries. Our Disputes Team has experience in a broad range of land and property disputes with a key focus on the following:

  • Building and construction disputes
  • Land acquisition and compensation
  • Boundary disputes including claims for encroachment and trespass
  • Easements and restrictive covenants
  • Claims for title by possession (adverse possession)
  • Protection Works
  • Fencing Notices and disputes

Get in Touch

Fill in the details to help us answer your query and booking enquiries promptly.