Sacha Sarah Smith serves as the Director and Principal at Civic Law Pty Ltd, a distinguished criminal defence practice based in Cairns, operating across Far North Queensland. Admitted in 2008, Sacha brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career as a criminal defence barrister. With a focus on legally aided criminal defence work, she has appeared as lead counsel in hundreds of cases, handling serious domestic and sexual violence matters, complex assault charges, and major indictable proceedings. Her expertise covers both summary and indictable trials, with numerous appearances in appellate proceedings. Sacha's early career included roles as junior counsel in high-profile cases involving homicide and large-scale drug prosecutions. Since relocating to Queensland, now as a solicitor, she has maintained a robust practice in the Magistrates and Children's Courts, including in remote Cape York communities. Her work encompasses contested hearings, bail applications, sentencing and Children’s Court proceedings. Sacha's academic excellence, evidenced by a Master of Laws with First Class Honours and a Master of Human Rights, informs her disciplined approach to statutory construction and the application of human rights in criminal proceedings. Her practice is marked by thorough preparation, structured legal argument, and advocacy that balances strategic insight with clear client communication. Before establishing her practice in Cairns, Sacha held a senior role at ATSILS, managing a high-volume caseload in both adult and youth jurisdictions, contributing significantly to youth justice and remote practice. Her previous tenure at the NZ Bar honed her skills in trials and advisory roles, dealing with complex criminal matters alongside senior counsel. Outside of her legal practice, Sacha has pursued postgraduate research and teaching, further honing her analytical and communication skills while expanding her knowledge in law and social systems. Her educational background, at the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, underscores a commitment to interdisciplinary study, encompassing law, human rights, and the social sciences.
Principal Director
Civic Law Pty Ltd · Self-employed
Mar 2026 - Mar 2026 • 0 months
Senior Legal Practitioner – Criminal Law
ATSILS · Full-time
Sep 2024 - Feb 2026 • 1 year 5 months
Barrister – Criminal Defence
NZ Bar · Full-time
Feb 2008 - Nov 2016 • 8 years 9 months
Master's degree, Human Rights & International Relations
University of Auckland
2008
Bachelor of Laws - LLB
University of Auckland
2007
Master's degree, Law
University of Auckland
2007 - 2008
Last checked: 17 Mar 2026 • Checked with Queensland Law Society
