Barrister Ben Doyle, son of former Chief Justice John Doyle and brother of Justice Sam Doyle, appointed to the Supreme Court

The state’s newest Supreme Court judge has been appointed – continuing a proud legal lineage that traces all the way up to the top job in law.

A member of one of the state’s most prolific legal dynasties has been appointed to the Supreme Court bench, following in the footsteps of his father and brother.

On Thursday, Attorney-General Kyam Maher announced barrister Ben Doyle will join the court next week, replacing retired Justice Malcolm Blue.

Mr Doyle, who studied at both the University of Adelaide and Oxford University, began practice in 2002 and was named King’s Counsel in 2020.

Barrister Ben Doyle has been appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Picture: Supplied

Prior to his work, he was an associate to High Court Chief Justice Murray Gleeson.

Mr Doyle is the son of long-serving former SA Supreme Court Chief Justice John Doyle.

Chief Justice Doyle stunned legal circles in 2012 by stepping down before the mandatory retirement age, a decision made in part because of the onset of Parkinson’s disease.

Three years later, his son Sam was appointed to the Supreme Court and, in 2020, became part of the newly-created Court of Appeal, where he continues to adjudicate.

Chief Justice John Doyle upon his retirement in 2012.

Supreme Court Justice Sam Doyle. Picture: Dylan Coker

Two of Chief Justice Doyle’s daughters, Hannah and Rachel, are respected and prominent barristers while his other daughter, Miriam, is a teacher.

In a statement, Mr Maher said Mr Doyle had worked extensively across commercial and civil law, as well as criminal appeals and both Federal and High Court cases.

He said the “eminently qualified” barrister would “make a substantial contribution in his time with the judiciary”.