Rau, also the Deputy Premier, was one of six South Australian lawyers appointed to the position today.

It was the first round of appointments made after changes to Supreme Court rules moved responsibility for appointments from the Chief Justice to the Judges of the Supreme Court acting collectively.

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis said the newly appointed Senior Counsel had been selected from a “talented pool of applicants after extensive consultation and discussion”.

The criteria for selection include legal learning, experience and skill in advocacy, integrity, availability to prospective clients and independence.

The other new Senior Counsel are Graham Edmonds-Wilson, Scott Henchliffe, Emily Telfer, Simon Ower and Michael Wait.