Carlin Grant

Carlin is an experienced advocate practicing in criminal law, intervention orders, family law and professional disciplinary proceedings. He is regularly briefed in complex and sensitive matters, and is valued for his persuasive advocacy, thorough preparation and pragmatic advice. Carlin regularly appears in trials, contested hearings, appeals and tribunal proceedings, both unled and with senior counsel.

Intervention Orders & Family Law
Carlin practices extensively in intervention order proceedings and related family law matters, with a focus on matters where the two areas intersect. He regularly appears in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, as well as in Magistrates’ Courts across Victoria, and is experienced in both first instance and appellate work.

• Represents applicants and respondents in family violence and personal safety intervention order hearings, including contested matters.
• Appears in interim and final hearings in parenting disputes, particularly those involving allegations of family violence or child safety concerns.
• Acts in complex property proceedings, including matters involving businesses, trusts and third-party interests.
• Provides strategic advice and advocacy where intervention orders overlap with criminal charges or family law parenting proceedings.
• Brings expertise in managing evidentiary and tactical complexities across jurisdictions, ensuring cohesive and practical solutions.
• Accepts interstate and circuit work, offering clients comprehensive representation across multiple forums.

Criminal Law

Carlin has a wide-ranging criminal practice, with a focus on serious indictable offences.

• Regularly appearing as defence counsel in trials in the County and Supreme Court, both unled and with senior counsel.
• Briefed to draft written cases, provide merits advice and appear in criminal appeals in the Court of Appeal.
• Appearing in Mental Impairment and Fitness to be Tried matters; and
• Bail applications, pleas, committals and contested hearings in the Magistrates Court.

Disciplinary & Regulatory Proceedings

Carlin frequently acts in disciplinary and regulatory matters, appearing for both professionals and regulatory bodies.

• Appears in proceedings involving sporting professionals, health practitioners, teachers, lawyers and accountants. He has acted in matters before:
  • AFL Tribunal
  • Racing Victoria Appeals Tribunal
  • Tennis Australia
  • Victoria Institute of Teaching (VIT)
  • Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT); and
  • Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
• Regularly represents health professionals in AHPRA prosecutions and disciplinary hearings before the Medical, Nursing and Midwifery, Psychology Boards.

Sports Law

Carlin has a strong reputation in sports law, acting for both athletes and sporting organisations.

• Appears in disciplinary tribunals and appeals for state and national sporting bodies.
• Appointed by Tennis Australia, Tennis Victoria and Basketball Victoria as a disciplinary panel member.

Coronial Inquests & Royal Commissions

Carlin is experienced in appearing in coronial inquests and commissions of inquiry.

• Appears for interested parties in matters involving deaths in custody, workplace accidents and systemic failures.
• Appeared in the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants (Lawyer X Royal Commission).

Professional Background & Memberships

• Graduated with First Class Honours in his Bachelor of Laws.
• Awarded a scholarship to Stetson University College of Law (Florida, USA), where he undertook juris doctor studies and training in trial advocacy.
• Preferred Trial Barrister for Victoria Legal Aid.
• Member of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), Member of the Family Law Bar Association, Member of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA) and the Sports Law Committee (for the VicBar).
• Read with Jason Gullaci SC; senior mentor was Richard Maidment KC (former Judge of the County Court of Victoria).