Ten Gold Coast firms for buying, selling and property disputes, with what each one suits and the Queensland rules on seller disclosure, cooling off, off the plan contracts, transfer duty and body corporate disputes.
Google ratings checked 24 October 2026 · Updated 24 October 2026
Free pre-signing advice on Queensland contracts. Consultations can be booked online. Conveyancing fees on request.
Office
Suite 1, Level 2, The Strand, 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Attwood Marshall has worked on the Gold Coast since 1946, according to the firm, and now runs offices in Coolangatta, Robina and Southport. Its property and commercial team is run day to day by department manager Fleur Wallis, with senior associates Mieke Elzer and Tobie Mitchell, under legal practice director Jeff Garrett. The firm does a lot of body corporate work in Queensland and NSW, which helps unit buyers and lot owners near the border. It offers free pre-signing advice on Queensland contracts, online booking, and Thursday evening and Saturday morning hours at Robina.
Founded in 1946
Also worth knowing
It offers free pre-signing advice on all Queensland contracts.
Lawyers
Jeff Garrett, Legal Practice Director
Fleur Wallis, Department Manager, Property and Commercial
Mieke Elzer, Senior Associate
Tobie Mitchell, Senior Associate
Mitch Giorgas, Lawyer
Taylah Lein, Lawyer
Levi Karaitiana, Senior Conveyancing Paralegal
Areas of property law handled
Buying and selling homes and units
Commercial conveyancing
Off the plan contract review
Body corporate advice in Queensland and NSW
Management rights sales
Retirement village and nursing home agreements
Independent advice on loans, guarantees and mortgages
Stamp duty assessments and First Home Owner Grant applications
PEXA electronic settlements
Office
Suite 1, Level 2, The Strand, 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Other details
Other offices
Robina (Shop 4135, Robina Town Centre Drive, (07) 5553 5888) and Southport (Suite 7, Level 2, 52 Davenport Street, (07) 5553 5850)
Book by phone or online. Fixed fees for some transactional matters, and an agreed scope and budget for other work.
Office
Ground Floor, The Rocket Annex, 203 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina QLD 4226
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Adamson Legal Group is a small Robina practice run by Michael Adamson, who the firm says is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist in property law. He was admitted in 1995, graduated from Bond University with honours and later taught there as an adjunct teaching fellow. The site lists him as the only lawyer, so you deal with the principal. Work covers residential, commercial and industrial conveyancing, leasing, subdivisions, multi unit developments and body corporate. It suits buyers, sellers and small developers who want a specialist on the file. Fixed fees are offered for some transactional work.
Also worth knowing
The firm offers fixed fees for some transactional matters.
Lawyers
The firm's site lists Michael Adamson as its only lawyer.
Michael Adamson, Principal and Director Accredited property law law specialist
Areas of property law handled
Residential conveyancing
Commercial and industrial conveyancing
Retail and commercial leasing
Land subdivisions
Multi unit developments
Building contract advice
Body corporate law
Auction and off the plan purchases
Strata, rural and vacant land transactions
First home buyer and grant advice
Office
Ground Floor, The Rocket Annex, 203 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina QLD 4226
Free, no obligation quotes and fixed conveyancing fees. Free review of REIQ contracts.
Office
Level 3, 3 Short Street, Southport QLD 4215
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
ABKJ Lawyers has practised from Southport since 1970, the firm says, and has been at Short Street since 1978. Four partners run it, and three of them, Tony Kyle, Andrew Kyle and David Brown, list property, body corporate or development work. Tony Kyle is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist in business law, which helps on commercial property deals. A conveyancing team under manager Samantha Siggleko handles the day to day files. The firm offers free quotes, fixed conveyancing fees, a free review of REIQ contracts and a 24 hour return call policy.
Founded in 1970
Also worth knowing
It offers fixed conveyancing fees and a free review of REIQ contracts.
Lawyers
Tony Kyle, Partner (Accredited Specialist in Business Law, Queensland Law Society)
Contact the firm for a consultation. The site doesn't publish fee or first meeting terms.
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hickey Lawyers is a Gold Coast commercial firm, founded in 1993, with property and development at its core. Managing partner Mark Lacy has more than 28 years of experience across the development process, according to the firm. Joe Welch works on property development and community title, often on master planned projects, and Simon Chan covers acquisitions, development, leasing and sales. The firm says it has one of Queensland's and NSW's most experienced teams of body corporate and community title solicitors, and it has acted for international companies and investors since it started. It suits developers, investors and overseas buyers more than first home buyers. Ask about fees when you call.
Founded in 1993
Also worth knowing
It has acted for international companies and investors since 1993, according to the firm.
Lawyers
Mark Lacy, Managing Partner
Joe Welch, Property development and community title
Simon Chan, Property acquisition, development, leasing and sale
Contact the firm to arrange a meeting. The property page doesn't state first consultation or fee terms.
Office
Level 5, 140 Bundall Road, Bundall QLD 4217
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Bell Legal Group is a Bundall firm with a dedicated property group alongside its commercial, family and estates teams. Partner Tom Trembath handles residential and commercial property, development and leasing work, alongside associate Sharon Yu, conveyancer Veronica Aletti and two conveyancing paralegals. Senior consultant Rob Ffrench adds foreign investment advice, including FIRB approvals, which helps overseas buyers. The firm says it has more than 50 years of property law experience. It suits developers, commercial buyers and owners of hotels, clubs and restaurants. The page doesn't list consultation terms.
Also worth knowing
The firm says it has more than 50 years of property law experience.
Lawyers
Tom Trembath, Partner
Rob Ffrench, Senior Consultant, Head of Commercial and Intellectual Property Law
Free 30 minute initial consultation. Fixed professional fees unless the matter becomes complicated, with outlays itemised when the matter is finalised.
Office
Suite 30610, Level 6, Southport Central Tower 3, 9 Lawson Street, Southport QLD 4215
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
HTW Legal Group was set up in Southport in 2020 by Timothy Hsieh, who had more than a decade in law before that, according to the firm. Property is its main line, from home conveyancing to development work like put and call options, joint ventures, off the plan contracts and subdivisions. Senior associate Desmond Lieu and special counsel Nicholas Chang also work on property, and a senior conveyancing paralegal is a NAATI certified Mandarin interpreter. The firm says Timothy personally supervises client matters. It offers a free 30 minute first consultation and fixed professional fees.
Founded in 2020
Also worth knowing
It offers a free 30 minute initial consultation and fixed professional fees.
Lawyers
Timothy Hsieh, Principal and Legal Practitioner Director
Desmond Lieu, Senior Associate
Nicholas Chang, Special Counsel
David Richmond, Associate
Flora Chai, Senior Conveyancing Paralegal
Kayla He, Senior Conveyancing Paralegal
Areas of property law handled
Residential conveyancing
Commercial conveyancing
Off the plan contracts
Put and call option deeds
Joint venture agreements
Subdivisions and body corporate creation
Commercial and retail leasing
Related party transfers
Transmission applications and records of death
Mortgages and securities
Easements, caveats and registrable interests
Property litigation and dispute resolution
Office
Suite 30610, Level 6, Southport Central Tower 3, 9 Lawson Street, Southport QLD 4215
Other details
Languages
Mandarin (senior conveyancing paralegal Kayla He is a NAATI certified provisional interpreter), according to the team page
Free consultation, free contract review before you sign and fixed fee quotes for most conveyancing.
Office
2112 Gold Coast Highway, Miami QLD 4220
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Arcuri Turnbull Law grew out of Mick Arcuri's Miami practice, which the firm says he has run on the Gold Coast for more than 40 years. Lionel Turnbull, who ran his own Gold Coast firm from 1995 to 2005, joined in 2022 and now manages the practice. Conveyancing manager Aimee Fendley has more than 15 years of experience, and the firm handles home and commercial conveyancing, related party transfers and retirement village contracts. It suits southern Gold Coast locals who want a long running neighbourhood firm. It offers a free consultation, free contract review and fixed fee quotes.
Arcuri Lawyers established in 1991, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
It offers a free contract review before signing and fixed fee quotes.
Lawyers
Mick (Dominic) Arcuri, Senior Solicitor
Lionel Turnbull, Solicitor and Legal Practice Manager
Davoren is a Surfers Paradise practice whose directors and staff have advised Gold Coast clients since 1978, according to the firm. Legal practice director Michael Coman leads the property work, with conveyancing manager Ilse Bogan running the files. It handles home and unit purchases and sales, investment properties, off the plan buys, subdivisions and commercial and retail leases. It suits buyers and sellers in the central coastal suburbs who want an established local office, and there is free parking on site. The page doesn't say whether first meetings are free, so ask for a quote.
Advising Gold Coast clients since 1978, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
The Surfers Paradise office has free client parking.
Contact the firm through its enquiry form. The property page doesn't state consultation terms.
Office
Level 6, 9 Lawson Street, Southport QLD 4215
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Aitken Whyte's Southport office is the one to call when a property deal turns into a fight. Its property page centres on disputes over contracts, titles, easements, encroaching structures and neighbour nuisance, alongside conveyancing and commercial property work. The page lists Robert Aitken, Lachlan Rieck, Helena Meyers-Nicholas and five other lawyers. It suits owners, buyers and landlords facing a dispute rather than a simple settlement. The page doesn't set out consultation terms.
Also worth knowing
The firm has a Southport office on Lawson Street.
Lawyers
The property page lists these names without titles.
Contact the firm to arrange an appointment. No consultation or fee terms are published.
Office
Shop 12/206 Currumburra Road, Ashmore QLD 4214
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Swift Solicitors is a small Ashmore practice run by principal Glenys Owen, who has practised for more than 30 years and was admitted in New Zealand in 1992. She is also a retired certified town planner with local government experience in Queensland and New Zealand, which is unusual and handy on land, subdivision and council questions. The firm acts for buyers and sellers, reviews contracts, prepares Form 2 seller disclosures and handles fencing and body corporate disputes. It suits locals and New Zealanders buying on the Gold Coast. Call to book, as no consultation terms are listed.
Also worth knowing
It also handles dividing fence and neighbour disputes.
Lawyers
The firm's site names Glenys Owen as its only lawyer.
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Gold Coast office whose own websites show real property work, from conveyancing and off the plan purchases to body corporate, development and property disputes. For each firm we read its website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. We only name an accredited specialist where the firm's site or the Queensland Law Society register says the Queensland Law Society accredited them, and we name the area. Some firms here lean towards developers and commercial clients, and we say so in the write-up. Free consultations, contract reviews and fee terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
Some firms pay for a featured listing, which affects where they appear on this page. Payment doesn't buy the write-up. We write those ourselves, and firms don't get to edit them. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules, rates and fees are as published in Queensland legislation and by the Queensland Government, the Queensland Revenue Office, the Residential Tenancies Authority, QCAT, the Queensland courts and Legal Aid Queensland in October 2026. Body corporate dispute fees are as at 1 July 2026.
Seller disclosure statements: what you get before you sign
Queensland's Property Law Act 2023 replaced the 1974 Act, and most of it started on 1 August 2025. The biggest change for buyers is seller disclosure. Before you sign a contract, the seller must give you a seller disclosure statement in the approved form (Form 2), plus prescribed certificates. It's compulsory, subject to exceptions in the Act, and the buyer and seller can't agree to switch it off.
According to the Queensland Government, the statement covers:
the title details of the land, and any interests and burdens affecting it
notices about proposed transport infrastructure, and any notice that the government intends to resume the property
contamination and environmental matters under the Environmental Protection Act 1994
rates and water charges
any application or order about dividing fences or trees under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011
For a unit or townhouse in a community titles scheme, the seller must also give you a body corporate certificate. It shows the levies, insurance, any contributions or body corporate debts owing on the lot, and how expenses are shared among owners. On the Gold Coast, where so many buyers are buying into a building, that certificate is worth reading line by line.
If the seller doesn't comply, you may have a right to terminate the contract. The scheme was also designed to remind buyers to do their own checks on flooding, so don't treat the statement as a flood report.
The disclosure rules can change, so ask your lawyer to check the current requirements before you sign.
Contracts and the cooling off period
Most contracts to buy residential property in Queensland give the buyer a 5 business day statutory cooling off period. It starts on the day the buyer receives a copy of the contract signed by both parties, and the contract must carry a warning statement about it directly above where the buyer signs. These rules are older than the 2023 Act. Crown Law describes them as part of the Property Occupations Act 2014. The Queensland Government advises always getting a solicitor to check a house sale contract before signing. Cooling off is a fallback, not a substitute for that advice.
Getting out costs money: if you terminate during the cooling off period, you pay a termination penalty of 0.25% of the purchase price
You can give it up: a buyer can waive or shorten the cooling off period by written notice to the seller. Get advice before you do
No cooling off at auction: there's none for a contract made at auction, or within two business days after an auction where you were a registered bidder
Other exceptions: the rules don't apply where the buyer is a listed corporation or its subsidiary, the State or a statutory body, or is buying three or more lots at the same time
Separately, the Property Law Act 2023 changed several contract rules. A buyer has a right to rescind if a home on the land becomes unfit to live in before settlement. Settlement can be extended for certain events, such as banks, the land registry or electronic lodgement systems being down. And a contract no longer becomes an instalment contract automatically: the buyer has to give notice choosing that.
Buying off the plan: disclosure, deadlines and sunset clauses
The Land Sales Act 1984 covers off the plan sales of proposed lots of land, such as a lot in a new subdivision. It doesn't cover a proposed lot in a community titles scheme, like most off the plan apartments and townhouses, which come under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 and the contract itself. So the rules in this section are for land, such as house and land lots. If you're buying an off the plan apartment or townhouse, ask your lawyer what protection your contract and the scheme give you.
For an off the plan land purchase, the seller must give you a disclosure plan prepared by a cadastral surveyor and a signed disclosure statement before you sign, or a copy of the approved plan of survey instead. If they aren't given, you may terminate by written notice before settlement.
Rule
What it means for the buyer
Your deposit
Must be paid to a law practice, a real estate agent or the public trustee and held in a trust account
Settlement deadline
The seller must settle within 18 months of the buyer entering the contract
Registered plan
If you weren't given the approved plan of survey before signing, the seller must give you a copy of the registered plan, and a surveyor's statement that it matches the disclosure plan, at least 14 days before settlement. If this or the 18 month deadline is missed, you may terminate before settlement, unless you caused the delay
Plan turns out to be inaccurate
The seller must give you a further statement at least 21 days before settlement, and if you're materially prejudiced you may terminate within 21 days
If you terminate
What you've paid must be refunded with interest within 14 days
Sunset clauses. Rules added in 2023 stop a sunset clause from ending an off the plan land contract automatically. The seller can only terminate under a sunset clause with the buyer's written consent after a sunset clause notice, by order of the Supreme Court, or another way set by regulation. The notice must be in writing, given at least 28 days before the sunset date, and give the seller's reasons. You must act reasonably in answering it, and staying silent isn't consent. The court will only allow termination if it's just and equitable, and the seller pays your costs unless you unreasonably withheld consent. These rules also cover off the plan land contracts made before 2023 that hadn't settled when the rules started.
Transfer duty and first home concessions
Transfer duty, often still called stamp duty, is assessed by the Queensland Revenue Office. If you're buying a home to live in, you may be able to pay duty at the home concession rates.
Home value
Duty at the home concession rate
Up to $350,000
$1.00 for each $100
$350,000 to $540,000
$3,500 plus $3.50 for each $100 over $350,000
$540,000 to $1,000,000
$10,150 plus $4.50 for each $100 over $540,000
Over $1,000,000
$30,850 plus $5.75 for each $100 over $1,000,000
Home concession rates as published by the Queensland Revenue Office (page last updated 31 July 2026).
First home buyers can get more. There are three concessions, and which one applies depends on what you're buying.
Concession
What it covers
First home concession (established home)
No duty on a home valued at $700,000 or less. It phases out between $700,000 and $800,000, with a maximum concession of $17,350, and doesn't apply from $800,000
First home (new home) concession
No duty on a new or substantially renovated home, with no value cap, for contracts signed from 1 May 2025. Duty still applies to any land that isn't residential
First home vacant land concession
A full concession with no value cap on residential vacant land, for transactions from 1 May 2025
Living there: for an established or new home, you must move in within 1 year of settlement. For vacant land, you must build your first home and move in within 2 years of settlement. Neither period can be extended. Under the new home concession, you can't sell, transfer or lease the property before you move in
First home means first: you must never have held an interest in a residence, in Australia or overseas
New rule from 1 August 2026: for transactions from that date, buyers claiming the home, first home or vacant land concession must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a specified foreign retiree
New homes: the contract date is the day you sign, not settlement. A new home is one not previously lived in or sold as a residence, or substantially renovated. Buying an old house, knocking it down and building a new one doesn't count. You can't get the new home concession if you've claimed the vacant land concession
Foreign buyers: additional foreign acquirer duty of 8% applies when a foreign person buys residential land
Body corporate, neighbour and tenancy disputes
A dispute with your body corporate or another lot owner usually goes to the Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management, not a court. For schemes with a community management statement recorded, it offers conciliation first and, if that doesn't settle it, adjudication. You usually have to try conciliation before you can apply for adjudication. Schemes without one use referee's orders instead.
Body corporate dispute application
Fee
Conciliation
$117.90
Adjudication, final order only
$117.90
Adjudication, interim and final order
$247.90
Fees from 1 July 2026, which rise each 1 July. They aren't refundable, and if you can't afford the fee you can ask the Commissioner to waive it.
Neighbours, fences and trees. QCAT hears dividing fence and tree disputes between neighbours, building disputes and residential tenancy disputes. Its minor civil disputes go up to $25,000, and parties generally represent themselves unless QCAT gives leave for a lawyer. LawRight's free QCAT service doesn't take minor civil disputes, tenancy, building, trees and fences or body corporate matters, but a community legal centre may be able to help with a minor civil dispute.
Tenants, landlords and owners. The Residential Tenancies Authority runs a free, confidential conciliation service on 1300 366 311. If that doesn't settle it, the RTA issues a notice of unresolved dispute and you can apply to QCAT. Urgent matters can go straight to QCAT, and claims over $25,000 have to go to a court. A dispute between an owner and their property manager goes to the Office of Fair Trading, not the RTA.
Bigger disputes. Contract, title and other property claims that are too big for QCAT go to court. The Magistrates Court hears money claims up to $150,000, the District Court up to $750,000 and the Supreme Court above that. A 2026 law is due to raise the District Court limit, so check the current figure before you file. On the Gold Coast, the District and Magistrates Courts sit at Southport Courthouse, on the corner of Davenport and Hinze Streets, 1300 516 700.
What a property lawyer does, choosing one, and free help
On a purchase, a property lawyer reads the contract and the seller's disclosure statement before you sign, and tells you what you're agreeing to. After that they track the dates in the contract, such as finance and inspection conditions, order searches, work out the transfer duty and any concession, and handle settlement. If something goes wrong before settlement, they're the one who tells you whether you can walk away.
When you're choosing a firm:
Ask who does the work: several firms on this list run conveyancing files through paralegals with a lawyer supervising. That's normal, but know who to call
Ask what's in the quote: for most matters, a Queensland law firm must tell you in writing how it will charge and estimate the total cost, or give a range if it can't. It must tell you in writing if that changes substantially. Disclosure isn't required where costs are likely to be under $1,500, excluding GST and disbursements, or for sophisticated clients such as larger businesses
Match the firm to the job: a simple house purchase, an off the plan unit, a development deal and a body corporate fight need different strengths
Accredited specialists: the Queensland Law Society accredits specialists in property law. On this list, Michael Adamson at Adamson Legal Group is one, according to his firm's website. You can check any name on the QLS Register of Solicitors
Free and low cost help on the Gold Coast:
Legal Aid Queensland: 1300 65 11 88, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, or the Southport office at Level 2, 7 Bay Street, (07) 5671 7700. Call to check whether it can help with your problem
Community legal centres: free or low cost advice. Find one through Community Legal Centres Queensland at communitylegalqld.org.au
Residential Tenancies Authority: 1300 366 311, for free conciliation between tenants and landlords or property managers
Queensland Law Society: 1300 367 757. Its Find a Solicitor directory on youandthelaw.com.au lists private firms, which charge their normal fees
Gold Coast property law: common questions
What does a Queensland seller have to give me before I sign?
Since 1 August 2025, a seller disclosure statement in the approved form plus prescribed certificates. It covers title details, interests and burdens on the land, transport and resumption notices, contamination, rates and water charges, and any fence or tree orders. For a unit or townhouse, you also get a body corporate certificate. If the seller doesn't comply, you may be able to terminate. Rules can change, so check the current requirements with your lawyer.
Can I pull out of a contract after I've signed it?
Most residential contracts give the buyer a 5 business day statutory cooling off period. If you terminate in that time, you pay a penalty of 0.25% of the price. There's no cooling off if you bought at auction, or within two business days after an auction where you were a registered bidder, and you lose it if you waive it in writing. Get the contract checked before you sign.
Can a developer cancel my off the plan contract with a sunset clause?
Not automatically. For off the plan land contracts, the seller needs your written consent after giving you a written sunset clause notice at least 28 days before the sunset date, or an order from the Supreme Court. You must act reasonably, and saying nothing isn't consent. The court will only allow it if it's just and equitable, and the seller pays your costs unless you unreasonably refused consent.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in Queensland?
Often not. There's no transfer duty on an established first home valued at $700,000 or less, with a reduced concession up to $800,000. For contracts signed from 1 May 2025, there's no duty on a new home or residential vacant land at any price. You must move in within 1 year of settlement, or within 2 years if you bought vacant land and built, and for transactions from 1 August 2026 you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a specified foreign retiree.
How do I sort out a body corporate dispute?
Talk to the committee or the other owner first. If that doesn't work, the Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management offers conciliation, usually followed by adjudication if it doesn't settle, for schemes with a community management statement recorded, and referee's orders for other schemes. From 1 July 2026, a conciliation application costs $117.90, and an adjudication application $117.90 or $247.90 if you also want an interim order. You can ask for the fee to be waived if you can't afford it.
What is an accredited property law specialist?
A solicitor the Queensland Law Society has assessed and accredited in property law, who keeps up specialist training each year. It isn't required to do property work. On this list, Michael Adamson at Adamson Legal Group is an accredited specialist in property law, according to his firm's website. You can check a name on the QLS Register of Solicitors.
Where can I get free legal help with a property problem on the Gold Coast?
Call Legal Aid Queensland on 1300 65 11 88 or visit its Southport office at Level 2, 7 Bay Street, to check whether it can help. Community legal centres give free or low cost advice, and you can find one at communitylegalqld.org.au. Tenants and landlords can use the Residential Tenancies Authority's free conciliation service on 1300 366 311.
General information only, not legal advice.
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