Justice Trish Kelly to head SA’s new Court of Appeal, as all five judges appointed to the court are revealed

SA’s new Court of Appeal has a full bench of judges – and will be led by one of the state’s most respected legal identities.

SA’s new Court of Appeal President, Justice Trish Kelly, is welcomed by Attorney-General Vickie Chapman with an elbow bump in front of her new team – Justices Chris Bleby, David Lovell, Sam Doyle and Mark Livesey. At the centre is Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Kourakis. Picture: Mark Brake

Supreme Court Justice Trish Kelly has been chosen to head South Australia’s new Court of Appeal.

One of SA’s most experienced and respected jurists, Justice Kelly has been appointed president of the new court that will start sitting from January 1.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman has also appointed Justices Sam Doyle and David Lovell to the new court, joining Justices Mark Livesey and Chris Bleby who were appointed earlier this year.

Ms Chapman said the three new Court of Appeal judges had almost a century of combined experience in the legal profession and Justice Kelly “will be an excellent leader’’ for the new court.

“In a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, she has been a Supreme Court judge, a District Court judge, and a prosecutor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and South Australia’s Office of the DPP,’’ she said.

“Justice Kelly has presided over numerous complex, high-profile matters and clearly has the expertise to preside over this court.’’

Justice Kelly, who was widely tipped in legal circles to head the new court, said she was “conscious of the importance of this appointment’’.

“I am honoured to play a small part in ensuring that the new Court of Appeal meets the expectations of the SA legal profession to produce timely, consistent and quality decisions which are essential for the proper functioning of the legal system in this state,” she said.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Kourakis and Court of Appeal President Justice Trish Kelly, flanked by Court of Appeal Justices Chris Bleby, David Lovell, Sam Doyle and Mark Livesey in front of the Supreme Court. Picture: Mark Brake

Like Justice Kelly, Justice David Lovell has also worked in the legal profession for more than four decades and brings a wealth of experience to the new court.

“This includes private practice, as a judge in the District Court, at the Crown Prosecution Office (now DPP) and, most recently in the Supreme Court,’’ Ms Chapman said.

“With 22 years in the sector, Justice Doyle has extensive experience in commercial and civil law, as well as criminal appeals – with five years’ experience as a Supreme Court Judge.

“They will join two recent appointments to the bench – Justices Livesey and Bleby.”

Ms Chapman said the composition of the new court would ensure it was well equipped to handle its appellate work.

SA Bar Association president Mark Hoffman QC welcomed Justice Kelly’s appointment as President of the new court.

“Her depth of experience as a member of the court, in particular in the criminal jurisdiction, will be invaluable,’’ he said.

Mr Hoffman also said the new court would provide benefits to SA’s justice system.

“The establishment of a specialist Court of Appeal with members of the calibre that have been appointed will enhance the delivery of justice in this state and facilitate the expeditious progress of appeal proceedings in our court,’’ he said.

The Court of Appeal, a division of the Supreme Court, was established after amendments to the Supreme Court Act 1935 were made late last year.

Those appointed to the new court can also sit across other divisions if needed, but the remaining seven Supreme Court Justices will only preside over criminal and civil matters. Chief Justice Chris Kourakis can sit across all divisions of the Supreme Court.

“The Court of Appeal represents a significant change to the way appeals are managed in the Supreme Court,’’ Ms Chapman said.

“With dedicated Justices, the Court of Appeal will develop specific judicial expertise in appeals, leading to increased efficiencies and consistent, high-quality judgments.”