Admitted as Solicitor

2005

Called to the Bar

2018

Called to the Bar - Republic of Vanuatu

2023

Carolina Soto has a diverse practice with a focus on criminal law (adults and children), mental health law (Mental Health Review Tribunal and Guardianship division at NCAT) and family law (as it relates to children and/or criminal matters that may effect parenting proceedings).

Specialisation in domestic violence matters across the Local and District Court, as well as defending private Apprehended Domestic/Personal Violence Orders. 

Before being called to the Bar, Carolina was a solicitor at Legal Aid for 10 years where she represented clients in Court on a daily basis in Local, Children’s and District Courts.

Prior to that, Carolina worked as a Judge’s Associate in the NSW District Court and interned at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Carolina has worked as a casual academic at various universities including, Western Sydney University and the University of New England. She has appeared as a guest lecturer at the University of New South Wales.

Born in Santiago, Chile and coming from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, Carolina is committed to mentoring law students across various organisations. 

Fluent in Spanish.

Providing Guidance In

Criminal Law

Appellate, Criminal Law, Children’s Criminal Law, International Criminal Law, Parole, Prosecutions

Family Law

Interim Hearings, Relocation Applications, Urgent Recovery Applications, Contravention Applications, Final Hearings (Property and/or Parenting)

Mental Health Law

Mental Health Law, Guardianship Matters, Financial Management Applications, Review Applications before the Mental Health Review Tribunals, Fitness Hearings and Enquiries.

Public & Administrative Law

Professional Disciplinary Proceedings, Human Rights

Member of
  • NSW Bar Association Family Care and Adoption Committee
  • Legal Aid – Summary Panel (Crime)
  • Legal Aid – Duty Panel (crime)
  • Legal Aid – Mental Health Advocacy Panel 
  • Legal Aid – Children’s Criminal Law Panel
  • Legal Aid – Indictable Criminal Law Panel 
  • CDPP Counsel Panel 
  • Volunteer Barrister – Women’s Legal Service
  • Mentor – Lucy Mentoring Program at University of Wollongong
  • Mentor – Sydney University Law Society Queer Mentoring Program
  • Mentor – Diverse Women in Law 
  • Mentor – UTS Beyond Corporate Mentoring Program
  • Member – Australian Bar Association Criminal Law Committee
  • Advocacy Lecturer – College of Law
SYDNEY

Black Chambers
Wallamulla, Gadigal Country
Suite 204, Level 2
185 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Cases
  • Davey v R [2022] NSWDC 168 – Conviction appeal, appeal allowed, convictions and penalties set aside, offences of intentionally suffocating a person without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault
  • R v Evrim [2021] NSWDC 363 – District Court sentence, multiple offences, subjective considerations on sentence, drug addiction
Education
  • Bachelor of Arts/Laws 
  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
  • Masters in International Relations (International Human Rights Law)
More
  • Finalist – ‘Barrister of the Year’ – Australian Law Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023
  • Finalist – ‘Barrister of the Year’ – Women in Law Awards in 2020 and 2021
  • Finalist – ‘Barrister of the Year’ – Women Lawyers Association NSW in 2021
  • Winner – ‘Barrister of the Year’ – Peacemaker Awards in 2021
  • Finalist ‘Mentor of the Year’ – Australian Law Awards in 2022