Law Institute of Victoria

What Law Institute of Victoria does

The Law Institute of Victoria Limited (LIV) is the peak professional membership body for solicitors in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1859 and re-registered as a public company limited by guarantee and ACNC-registered not-for-profit in 2014, LIV represents more than 21,000–22,000 lawyers and people working in the law across Victoria, interstate and overseas. Its functional mandate spans advocacy before government, courts and regulators; ethical and practice support; professional development (CPD courses, conferences, the Accredited Specialisation program, and a Practice Management Course); and services to the public, primarily through the Find Your Lawyer Referral Service.

LIV operates a portfolio of interconnected services rather than a unified technology product. Digital assets include the liv.asn.au website, a My LIV member portal, an e-commerce bookshop (Law Books), a CPD on Demand video platform, and library/database access systems including Lexis Red. No proprietary AI/ML technology, patents, or APIs are disclosed; 'technology' here primarily means distribution, member records, and content publishing. Membership is tiered into Practising Full, Affiliate (35% discount), Graduate (70% discount) and free Student categories, with annual billing; specific pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Revenue is generated through six streams: membership subscriptions, CPD and event registrations, the Law Books bookshop (physical and online), meeting room hire at the Melbourne CBD headquarters, advertising and sponsorship, and library/research services. Go-to-market is community-led growth via professional networks, events and the Find Your Lawyer service; acquisition occurs through the website, phone and post/email. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Law Institute of Victoria

Legal name

Law Institute of Victoria Limited

Website

https://liv.asn.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1859

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Law Institute of Victoria (founded 1859) is the peak not-for-profit membership body for Victoria's legal profession, representing 21,000–22,000+ solicitors, graduates and students with services spanning advocacy, CPD, ethics support, library access, referral and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal & Compliance (CLE, Paralegal CE) (EDAAALAB)

Keywords

• Legal professional membership
• Continuing legal education
• Professional development programs
• Law society services
• Legal practice support

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: The LIV generates revenue primarily through membership fees from practicing lawyers, affiliates, graduates, and students across various membership tiers. Full Practicing Members pay the highest fees, with Affiliate Members saving 35% and Graduate Members saving 70% off full fees. Student membership is free.
2. Professional Development and Events: Revenue generated from CPD courses, conferences, training programs, and event registrations including the annual Property Law Conference, Criminal Law Conference, Commercial Law Conference, and other specialty conferences.
3. Law Books Bookshop: Sale of legal textbooks, study guides, legal documents, and reference materials through both the physical bookshop at 140 William Street and the online store.
4. Meeting Room Hire: Revenue from hiring out meeting rooms, mediation rooms, and conference facilities at the LIV headquarters for legal professionals and organizations.
5. Advertising and Sponsorship: Partnerships and advertising opportunities on the LIV website, in publications, and at events. Sponsorship opportunities for conferences and programs.
6. Library and Research Services: Document supply, case list services, and legal research services provided to members and non-members who work in the legal profession.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Law Institute of Victoria delivers tiered professional membership services (Practising Full, Affiliate, Graduate and Student categories) to over 22,000 Victorian lawyers, supplemented by Continuing Professional Development courses and conferences, the Law Books bookshop, the Find Your Lawyer public referral service, library and legal research services, ethics support, the Accredited Specialisation program, practice management training, meeting room hire, the Law Institute Journal, and member wellbeing and counselling services. It is funded primarily through annual membership subscriptions, with additional revenue from CPD/event fees, bookshop sales, room hire, advertising and sponsorships.

Product overview

The Law Institute of Victoria is a professional membership organization serving as the peak body for the Victorian legal profession. Rather than a single unified software product, it offers a portfolio of membership-based services including advocacy and professional development (CPD courses, Practice Management Course, Accredited Specialisation), member resources (LIV Library, Law Books bookshop, Ethics Support, Practice Support), referral services (Find Your Lawyer, Professional Directories), publications (Law Institute Journal, podcasts including Cross-Examined), awards and events (LIV Legal Awards, Victorian Golden Gavel), and specialised compliance hubs (AML/CTF, Cybersecurity, AI). The core offering is LIV Membership, which provides access to all these interconnected services supporting lawyers throughout their careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LIV Membership (Practising Full, Affiliate, Graduate, Student tiers) Tiered annual professional membership for Victorian legal professionals. Practising Full Members (lawyers with current Victorian Practising Certificates) receive full benefits including CPD discounts, library access, ethics support, voting rights and Find Your Lawyer referrals. Affiliate Members (judiciary, barristers, interstate/overseas lawyers, practice support, non-practicing, retired) get most benefits at 35% off. Graduate Members (law graduates completing PLT) get 70% off. Student Members (LLB/JD students) are free with limited library/wellbeing access.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs and Conferences Paid professional development courses, workshops and specialty conferences delivered in-person and on-demand to help Victorian lawyers meet their CPD compliance requirements across practice areas.
• Law Books Bookshop Sale of legal textbooks, study guides, legal documents and reference materials through the LIV's physical bookshop at Melbourne headquarters and online store, with member discounts available.
• Find Your Lawyer Referral Service Referral service that connects the public with LIV member lawyers, allowing eligible members to register and be listed in the directory to receive client referrals.
• LIV Library and Research Services Library catalogue search, digital collections, document supply, legal research services and remote access to online legal databases (including Lexis Red and CCHeBooks) for members and non-member legal professionals.
• Accredited Specialisation Program Program enabling Victorian solicitors to gain specialist accreditation in areas such as immigration, personal injury, commercial litigation and other legal disciplines; the only such program approved for Victorian solicitors.
• Practice Management Course VLSB+C approved training course providing business and financial knowledge for lawyers preparing to transition into principal or partnership roles.
• Meeting, Mediation and Conference Room Hire Hire of meeting rooms, mediation rooms and conference facilities at the LIV's Melbourne CBD headquarters by legal professionals and organisations.
• Law Institute Journal (LIJ) Monthly professional journal providing legal news, articles and analysis for the Victorian legal community, available in print and digital formats with a print opt-in option for members.
• Cross-Examined Podcast Series Audio podcast series covering topical legal issues including AI in the legal profession, cybersecurity for lawyers and AML/CTF compliance.
• LIV Ethics Support Service Confidential ethics guidance, support and resources including an ethics helpline and access to rulings from the LIV Ethics Committee.
• LIV Mentoring Program Mentorship program connecting experienced legal professionals with emerging lawyers to support career development and transition into practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Represents over 22,000 lawyers and legal professionals in Victoria
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Law Council of Australia (LCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LIV works closely with the Law Council of Australia on advocacy, policy positions, and legal reform initiatives. The LIV contributes to LCA committees and working groups, and coordinates on matters affecting the national legal profession.
• Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LIV provides expert submissions and policy positions in response to VLRC requests for consultation on law reform matters affecting Victoria.
• Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LIV works with Victoria Legal Aid on matters affecting access to justice, legal representation for disadvantaged Victorians, and professional development for lawyers working in the legal aid sector.
• Courts and TribunalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LIV liaises with Victorian courts including the Supreme Court, County Court, and various tribunals on matters affecting court procedures, legal practice, and access to justice.
• Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)coreOthersThe LIV is registered as a not-for-profit charity with the ACNC, which has been the LIV's primary regulator since August 2014. The LIV was registered as a charity with effective date from 1 July 2013.
• Legal Services CouncilcoreOthersThe LIV nominates members to the Legal Services Council, which monitors the operation of the Legal Profession Uniform Framework and is responsible for making Uniform Rules.
• Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB)coreOthersThe LIV nominates members for appointment to VLAB, a statutory body performing functions associated with the admission of lawyers in Victoria under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.
• Community Legal Centres (CLCs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LIV provides complimentary membership to CLC lawyers and works with Victoria's 50 Community Legal Centres to support free legal services for disadvantaged Victorians.
• Federation of Community Legal CentresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LIV CEO serves as a strategic leader supporting Victoria's Community Legal Centres, which provide free legal information, advice, and representation to people experiencing disadvantage.
• Regional and Suburban Law AssociationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe LIV supports and connects with 15+ regional and suburban law associations including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland, and others across Victoria to serve lawyers outside Melbourne CBD.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• College of Law (Australia): Australia's largest provider of practical legal training (PLT) and continuing legal education. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but overlaps on CPD delivery and competes for the same professional-development budgets of Victorian lawyers.

Direct peers

• The Law Society (England and Wales): The representative body for solicitors in England and Wales, providing membership, CPD, accreditation, and advocacy on a much larger scale. International analogue with the same peak-body mandate as the LIV.
• Victorian Bar: The independent bar association for Victorian barristers, operating a parallel peak-body model within the same jurisdiction. Strongest same-geography peer, though focused on the barrister rather than solicitor segment.
• Law Society of South Australia: Peak body representing South Australian legal practitioners, offering parallel membership, professional development, and advocacy services. Direct state-law-society analogue to the LIV.
• Law Society of Western Australia: Peak professional membership association for Western Australian lawyers, delivering CPD, advocacy, library, and member services mirroring the LIV's portfolio. Comparable state-level scope and structure.
• Queensland Law Society: The peak professional body for Queensland legal practitioners, providing membership, CPD, advocacy, and specialist accreditation similar to the LIV. Directly comparable state-law-society model with similar revenue mix.
• New York State Bar Association: One of the largest voluntary state bar associations in the US, offering membership, CLE, ethics guidance, and publications comparable to the LIV's portfolio. International reference point for a state-level legal association of comparable scope.
• Law Council of Australia: National federation of Australian law societies and bar associations; the LIV coordinates with the LCA on advocacy and policy. Most closely related national umbrella body, structurally and functionally aligned.
• Law Society of New South Wales: Australia's largest state-level legal professional association, serving NSW solicitors with the same core membership, CPD, advocacy, library, and referral services as the LIV. Most direct structural peer given comparable scale, mandate, and quasi-regulatory role.

Broad incumbents

• American Bar Association: The largest national professional association for lawyers globally, providing CLE, accreditation, publications, and advocacy. Wider portfolio and US-only jurisdiction, but operates the same membership-association-plus-CLE-plus-accreditation model as the LIV.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yourLIV
• Facebookfacebook.com/LawInstituteofVictoria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/law-institute-of-victoria
• Instagraminstagram.com/yourliv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Law Institute of Victoria