Kelly has been a judge on SA’s highest court since 2007, and started her role as the inaugural President of the SA Court of Appeal on January 1 this year.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman has appointed Justice Mark Livesey to replace Kelly as Court of Appeal President, and will appoint a new Supreme Court judge in August.

Kelly, whose retirement will come into effect on September 1, said the new Court of Appeal has a “sound foundation” to work from.

“It has been a great privilege to serve the state as the inaugural President of the Court of Appeal,” Kelly said in a statement on Thursday.

“The Court rules and practices we have adopted provide a sound foundation for the just and efficient determination of appeals.

“For several reasons I thought it best to give an early indication of my intention to retire.”

Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Kourakis said he was “grateful” for the early notice Kelly has provided on her retirement, which will allow the court to better organise its case lists.

The Attorney-General thanked Kelly for her service on the newly formed appeals court.

“She took on this responsibility and challenge with gusto, overseeing a seamless transition to the new court,” Chapman said

“Under Justice Kelly’s leadership, the Court has been established and is now efficiently handling its appellate work, resulting in consistent, high-quality judgments.”