About Carter Capner Law
Technical knowledge and social impact, on your side.
Carter Capner Law is a compensation practice acting across Australia. We act for individuals, families and small businesses when they come up against insurers and large organisations, and we put what we know to work for the wider community too.
- No-obligation first consultation
- No win, no fee*
- Reply within 2 business hours
Our vision
Leadership on civil justice issues, to give our community and clients the leg up that our depth of legal knowledge can provide.
Our mission
To give our clients and community an authoritative legal voice when they come up against powerful insurers and large corporations.
Three ways we give a leg up
- 01 For our clients Knowledge of the law, on your file The lawyers who run your claim, and the laws they work with every day. Read chapter 01
- 02 For the community Programs and clubs close to home Breakfasts, a children’s hospital and local sport, where our clients live. Read chapter 02
- 03 For civil justice Speaking up for injured people Submissions, campaigns, group claims and public comment. Read chapter 03
01 Chapter 1 of 3
For our clients
Knowledge of the law, on your file
Compensation claims involve statutes, notices and time limits under the law of the state or territory that applies. An Injury Expert conducts every claim, with paralegals and support staff alongside.
The lawyers who run your claim
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Peter CarterLegal Practice Director
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David ShannonSpecial Counsel
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Govinda Le GuinioSenior Associate
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Wayne HamptonSenior Associate
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Lauren GracieAssociate
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Keirin NivenGeneral Manager
The laws we work with every day
- Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld)The general time limits, including three years for most personal injury claims.
- Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld)How CTP claims work after a road accident in Queensland.
- Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (Qld)The steps most injury claims must take before court.
- Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld)How negligence is decided and how damages are assessed.
- Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld)WorkCover benefits, and common law claims against employers.
- Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)The Australian Consumer Law: defective products and consumer guarantees.
- Civil Proceedings Act 2011 (Qld)Part 13A: class actions in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
Time limits apply to most claims. Some notices are due within months, so ask early.
02 Chapter 2 of 3
For the community
Programs and clubs close to home
We back programs and clubs in the communities our clients come from, and our team gives time as well as money.
It’s heartbreaking to see under-nourished kids turn up to school. These kids are at a disadvantage right from the start.
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Fighting hunger
YMCA Schools’ Breakfast Program
- Direct cash support from the firm
- Free, healthy breakfasts for every student
- Food, equipment and support for schools across south-east Queensland
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Community partner
Children’s Hospital Foundation
- A partnership with the Foundation
- Opportunities for our team to volunteer
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Junior sport
Sherwood AFLC
- Junior boys’ and girls’ programs
- Auskick
- One of Queensland’s oldest AFL clubs
03 Chapter 3 of 3
For civil justice
Speaking up for injured people
Public advocacy on civil justice issues fuels the determination we apply day to day for our clients.
Peter CarterLegal Practice Director
Leads the practice
Alongside the practice, he has held senior roles in civil justice reform, in Queensland and nationally.
- Australian Lawyers AllianceFoundation National Councillor, inaugural Queensland President and a National President
- Civil Justice Foundation of AustraliaDirector
- Queensland Law SocietyServed on its Accreditation Board and Competition & Consumer Law committee
- Aviation Law Association of Australia and New ZealandNational Councillor and Queensland Chair
On the record
- 1992–96Common law rights for injured workersCampaigned to keep injured Queensland workers’ common law rights when injury thresholds were proposed.
- 1994–95Australian Lawyers Alliance, QueenslandPeter Carter founded the Queensland branch of APLA, now the Australian Lawyers Alliance, and co-founded the Queensland Workers’ Rights Coalition.
- 1996–97Kennedy CommissionCo-wrote APLA’s submission on WorkCover reform and appeared before the Commission.
- 1997A code of conductWrote APLA’s code of conduct, the ethical standards for its personal injury lawyer members.
- 1998–99National PresidentLed APLA nationally, and co-founded the Civil Justice Foundation.
- 2002–03Insurance Reform CampaignFounded the campaign during the national insurance crisis, and argued for air passengers’ rights under the Montréal Convention.
- 2026Cyclist protectionCalled for stronger laws to protect cyclists on Queensland roads.
Group claims we’ve run or investigated
Air and sea travel
- Cathay Pacific CX156
- LATAM LA800
- Singapore Airlines SQ321
- P&O Pacific Aria
- Carnival cruise ship gambling
Consumers and contracts
- Woolworths and Coles pricing
- Gym contracts
- Office equipment contracts
- Harvey Norman Latitude finance
Health and insurance
- Private health fund refunds
- Metro North Caboolture imaging
- CTP insurer
Recent public comment
- Legal reform · 2026Calls for stronger cyclist protection laws in Queensland
- Legal reformQueensland bans ‘claim farming’: on ABC Radio National’s Law Report
- Aviation safetyKing River helicopter crash: the ATSB’s findings on CASA
- Travel insuranceA call for ASIC to review claims refused over alcohol consumption
Our values
Six things we hold ourselves to
They shape how every claim is prepared, and how every client is looked after.
- 01Know the law deeplyTechnical knowledge and continuous learning.
- 02Do the hard workMeticulous preparation and original thinking.
- 03Stand with the communitySocial advocacy and community support, for fairer civil justice.
- 04Think aheadPlanning every step early saves time and opens up out-of-the-ordinary solutions.
- 05Keep our wordWe do what we say, and take responsibility for what is expected of us.
- 06Own the experienceEveryone here takes ownership of how each client is looked after.
How we’re paid
No win, no fee*, with the costs in writing
No win, no fee*
If your claim doesn’t succeed, you don’t pay our professional fees. Offered on the injury claims we accept.
The 50/50 rule
Our professional fees can’t be more than half of what you receive, after refunds and outlays.
Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) s 347Costs in writing first
A written costs agreement before any work starts, with five business days to change your mind.
What you pay, win or lose
| If your claim succeeds | If it doesn’t | |
|---|---|---|
| Our professional fees | Payable from the settlement, capped by the 50/50 rule | Not payable |
| Outlays | Payable from the settlement, at cost | Depends on your costs agreement |
| The other side’s costs | Not applicable | Possible if proceedings are lost, explained before they start |
No win, no fee*. *Outlays may still be payable.
How no win, no fee* worksWhat we act on
Compensation, insurance and group claims
Choose a claim to see how it works, the time limits and what you can claim.
Injury claims
Insurance, group and other claims
Our offices
Three offices, and wherever you are
Meet us at Brisbane CBD, Woolloongabba or Browns Plains, or by phone or video wherever you are. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Brisbane CBDLevel 18, 150 Charlotte Street, Brisbane QLD 4000Office
- Woolloongabba1/250 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba QLD 4102Office
- Browns Plains5/7 Grand Plaza Drive, Browns Plains QLD 4118Office
- Sunshine CoastLevel 1/2 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya QLD 4575By arrangement
- North SydneyLevel 14/275 Alfred Street, North Sydney NSW 2060By arrangement
FAQ
Questions people ask about us
Short answers. Your own situation is worth a conversation.
Who will work on my matter?
An Injury Expert conducts your claim, with paralegals and support staff working alongside them. You’ll know who they are, and how to reach them, from the first consultation.
How are you paid?
Injury claims we accept run on a no win, no fee* basis: if the claim doesn’t succeed, you don’t pay our professional fees. Our fees can’t be more than half of what you receive after refunds and outlays, and everything is set out in a written costs agreement before we start. *Outlays may still be payable.
Do I need to come into an office?
No. We can meet at Brisbane CBD, Woolloongabba or Browns Plains, or by phone or video wherever you are.
What happens at the first consultation?
It’s a no-obligation conversation. A lawyer listens, explains where you stand and the time limits that apply, and tells you what happens next. Nothing is signed until you’re ready.
Do you only act on injury claims?
Compensation is our focus: injury claims, super, insurance and TPD claims, class actions, and other compensation such as professional negligence.
Your leg up starts with a conversation
A no-obligation first consultation. A lawyer reads every enquiry, and we will be in touch within 2 business hours.
No win, no fee*. *Outlays may still be payable.