A number of new appointments to the judiciary to fill a series of vacancies has been announced today.
District Court Judge Julie McIntyre is being elevated to the Supreme Court, ahead of the retirement of Justice Kevin Nicholson.
Magistrates Nick Alexandrides and Michelle Sutcliffe will be appointed to the District Court to fill both Judge McIntyre’s vacancy and the vacancy created by the imminent retirement of Judge Paul Cuthbertson.
In addition, Kristopher Handshin KC has also been appointed to the District Court to fill a vacancy created with the elevation last year of Justice Kimber from the District to the Supreme Court.
Michael Barnett and Joanna Martin have been appointed to the Magistrates Court, and in a historic South Australian first Lana Chester and Natalie Browne become the first Aboriginal magistrates in history with their appointment to the judiciary.
Judge McIntyre commences with the Supreme Court next week; while Judges Alexandrides, Sutcliffe and Handshin will take up their new roles throughout February; as will Magistrates Martin and Barnett.
Quotes
Attributable to Kyam Maher
It is great to see the elevation of some exceptional judicial officers while simultaneously welcoming some new minds to the judiciary.
Judge McIntyre, Magistrate Alexandrides and Magistrate Sutcliffe have all served with distinction in their time with the District and Magistrates Court respectively, and I’m sure their fine work will continue in their new roles.
Kristopher Handshin KC has nearly 20 years’ experience in the legal profession at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in private practice and at the independent bar. Mr Handshin KC took silk in 2020. He will make a fine addition to the Court.
In his 34-plus years within the legal profession, Michael Barnett has been involved in numerous complex civil and criminal matters and worked across a range of different disciplines. He has had a distinguished career at the independent bar in Adelaide.
Joanna Martin is an extraordinarily qualified public servant, with experience as a lawyer in Government and Community Legal Centres in the Northern Territory and corporate experience in New South Wales, as well as developing policy and overseeing the development of complex legislation within the Attorney-General’s Department.
Ms Chester and Ms Browne taking on their appointments creates an exciting moment in our State’s history. Both are exceptionally qualified, experienced appointees with a wealth of knowledge and experience that I’m sure will serve them well during their time in the Magistrates Court.
I congratulate all incoming members on their appointment and would also like to thank Justice Nicholson and Judge Cuthbertson for their distinguished service to South Australia.
