Chris Kourakis today announced the appointments on behalf of Supreme Court judges, after “wide consultation with the judicial officers of the State, the senior law officers of the State and the legal profession”.

The new Senior Counsel are: Meredith Dickson SC, Lucy Boord SC, Anthony Allen SC, Todd Golding SC, Benjamin Doyle SC, Kerry Clark SC, Stephen McDonald SC and Kristopher Handshin SC.

Meredith Dickson SC has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence from the University of Adelaide. She was admitted to practice in 1991 and joined the Independent Bar in 2000. She was a founding member of Elizabeth Evatt Chambers and practices principally in the area of Family Law in property, parenting and child support matters.

Lucy Boord SC was admitted in 1996 and has a Bachelor of Laws from Northern Territory University. Boord practices in criminal law at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with particular expertise in fitness to stand trial and mental incompetence. She has appeared as counsel in the Supreme Court on Magistrates Appeals and appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal, and as junior counsel in the High Court.

Anthony Allen SC has a Bachelor of Laws from Flinders University and was admitted in 1999. He joined the Independent Bar in 2012. Allen practices in criminal law, professional disciplinary law and coronial inquests and conducts both trial and appellate work in the Supreme Court.

Todd Golding SC has an Honours degree in Law from the University of Adelaide and a Masters from the University of Sydney. He was admitted to practice in 2002 and is currently the Crown Advocate, appearing in matters of complexity for the State. Golding undertakes both trial and appellate work across all State and Federal Courts.

Benjamin Doyle SC has First Class Honours in Law from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Civil Laws from the University of Oxford. After being admitted to practice in 2002, he joined the Independent Bar in 2008. Doyle has a civil and commercial practice, which involves contractual, equitable, property, negligence, trade practices and insolvency issues, and has appeared in mediations and appellate matters.

Kerry Clark SC was admitted to practice in 2004 and has an Honours degree in Law from Flinders University. She joined the Independent Bar in 2008 and practices principally in civil and commercial law, employment and trusts, equity and estates. Clark was a founder of JusticeNet SA and is currently President.

Stephen McDonald SC has First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide and was admitted in 2004. He practices over a broad range of areas, with an emphasis on public law and civil and criminal appeals. McDonald appears predominantly in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court.

Kristopher Handshin SC was admitted to practice in South Australia in 2005. He has First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide. After joining the Independent Bar in 2010, Handshin’s primary area of practice is criminal law, appearing in the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Supreme Court and the District Court.

In a statement, the Courts Administration Authority said Senior Counsel held “important leadership positions in the legal profession. Criteria for selection include legal learning, experience and skill in advocacy, integrity, availability to prospective clients and independence”.

“The appointment of Senior Counsel is a significant event for the successful applicants, for the legal profession and the South Australian community,” it said.

“Senior Counsel are leaders of the profession who adhere to the highest standards of legal excellence and integrity. The Chief Justice congratulates the Senior Counsel announced today. They have earned this recognition through the diligent performance of their duties to the Courts and their clients.”