New SA appeal court begins operations
![Attorney-General Vickie Chapman says the court will usher in a new era of SA's justice system.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/S-2043862/1609459125079_Court_SA_16-9_20137778_2043862_20210101100152a6266851-f766-4e5e-b6d7-2ec2a4f9dc5c.jpg_sd_1280x720.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Fourteen cases have already been listed for South Australia's new dedicated Court of Appeal.
The court officially begins operating from Friday but is not expected to hear its first case until later in January.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman, who championed its introduction, says it will usher in a new era of the state's justice system.
"The establishment of the Court of Appeal represents a significant shift in the way matters are heard in South Australia," Ms Chapman said.
"Streamlining matters will ensure a more efficient system, with judges working in the Court of Appeal developing specific judicial expertise."
Five judges have been appointed to the new court with Justice Trish Kelly to act as its president.
They will hear all appeal matters, in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions.
Before now, Supreme Court judges were assigned on rotation to sit on appeals.
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