Barrister Mark Livesey QC first member of SA’s new appeal court
South Australia’s new Court of Appeal has had its first appointment — a respected barrister with more than 30 years experience in civil and commercial law.
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Respected barrister Mark Livesey QC is the first appointment to South Australia’s new Court of Appeal.
Mr Livesey, who has been practising predominantly in the civil and commercial jurisdictions for more than 30 years, will be appointed to the Supreme Court next week.
He will preside over matters in the Supreme Court until the amendments to legislation establishing the new court are proclaimed.
The Court of Appeal will be headed by a president and have an as yet undecided number of Justices sitting on it who will deal only with appeal matters.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said Mr Livesey has “had a distinguished career.’’
“I believe his extensive appellate experience will be invaluable for his role within our new court,’’ she said.
“He is a highly respected litigator, particularly within the civil and commercial jurisdictions, and has served in numerous professional appointments.’’
These included as President of both the South Australian and Australian Bar Associations and he was also an International Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
During debate on the amendments to the Supreme Court Act last November it emerged the state’s Supreme Court Justices did not support establishing a Court of Appeal.
Their reasons included the smaller population and “critical litigation mass” in SA and that differing expertise was required for specific appeal cases. The Justices also suggested at least five members were needed for it to operate efficiently if established.
Ms Chapman believes the new court, which is supported by the SA Bar Association, will improve the quality of appeal judgments in SA and lead to less matters being referred to the High Court on appeal.