{"id":"supreme-court-act-1935","name":"Supreme Court Act 1935","slug":"supreme-court-act-1935","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":110395,"registerId":"sa-supreme-court-act-1935-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Constitution of the Supreme Court","content":"Part 1—Constitution of the Supreme Court\n6—Continuance of Supreme Court\nThe Supreme Court of South Australia as by law established is hereby continued as the superior court of record, in which has been vested all such jurisdiction (whether original or appellate) as is at the passing of this Act vested in, or capable of being exercised by that court.\n6A—Divisions of Supreme Court\nThe Supreme Court is constituted of the General Division and the Court of Appeal.\n7—Judicial officers of the court\n\t(1)\tThe General Division of the court consists of—\n\t(a)\tthe Chief Justice; and\n\t(b)\tthe puisne judges of the court that are not appointed to the Court of Appeal; and\n\t(c)\tthe Associate Justices; and\n\t(d)\tthe judicial registrars.\n\t(1a)\tThe Court of Appeal consists of—\n\t(a)\tthe Chief Justice; and\n\t(b)\tthe President; and\n\t(c)\tthe puisne judges of the court that are appointed to the Court of Appeal; and\n\t(d)\tthe Associate Justices; and\n\t(e)\tthe judicial registrars.\n\t(2)\tSubject to this Act or any other Act, the judges, Associate Justices and judicial registrars have the power, authority and jurisdiction conferred on them under this Act or any other Act, and the rules of court made under this Act or any other Act.\n\t(3)\tThe puisne judges shall be styled \"Justices of the Supreme Court of South Australia\".\n\t(4)\tAn Associate Justice is, while holding that office, also a District Court Judge.\n8—Qualifications for appointment as judges and Associate Justices\n\t(1)\tNo person shall be qualified for appointment as a puisne judge of the court unless he is a practitioner of the court of not less than ten years' standing.\n\t(1a)\tA person is not qualified for appointment as President unless the person is a practitioner of the court of not less than 12 years' standing or a puisne judge of the court.\n\t(2)\tNo person shall be qualified for appointment as Chief Justice unless he is a practitioner of the court of not less than fifteen years' standing or a puisne judge of the court.\n\t(3)\tNo person shall be qualified for appointment as an Associate Justice unless he is a practitioner of the court of not less than seven years standing.\n\t(4)\tFor the purpose of determining whether a practitioner of the court has the standing necessary for appointment as a judge or Associate Justice, periods of legal practice and (where relevant) judicial service within and outside the State will be taken into account.\n9—Appointments to the court\n\t(1)\tWhenever necessary, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to hold the office of judge of the court or judge of the Court of Appeal with the tenure prescribed by the Constitution Act 1934, but subject to the provisions of this Act as to retirement.\n\t(2)\tAppointments to the office of Associate Justice shall be made by the Governor whenever necessary.\n\t(3)\tSubject to the provisions of this Act as to retirement, the commission of an Associate Justice shall remain in full force during his good behaviour but the Governor may, upon the address of both Houses of Parliament, remove an Associate Justice from office and revoke his commission.\n9A—The Chief Justice\n\t(1)\tThe Chief Justice is the principal judicial officer of the court.\n\t(2)\tThe Chief Justice is responsible for the administration of the court.\n9B—President\nThe President is a judge of the Supreme Court and is responsible, subject to the Chief Justice's directions, for the administration of the Court of Appeal.\n10—Acting Chief Justice and Acting President\n\t(1)\tIf—\n\t(a)\tthe Chief Justice is absent or, for any reason, is unable for the time being to carry out the duties of the office; or\n\t(b)\tthe office of the Chief Justice becomes vacant,\nthe Governor may appoint—\n\t(c)\tthe President; or\n\t(d)\tif the President is absent or, for any reason, is unable for the time being to carry out the duties of the office—a puisne judge of the court,\nto be Acting Chief Justice until the Chief Justice returns to official duties or a person is appointed to the office of the Chief Justice (as the case requires).\n\t(2)\tIf—\n\t(a)\tthe President is absent or, for any reason, is unable for the time being to carry out the duties of the office; or\n\t(b)\tthe office of the President becomes vacant,\nthe Governor may appoint a puisne judge of the court to be Acting President until the President returns to official duties or a person is appointed to the office of the President (as the case requires).\n\t(3)\tAny power or duty attached to the office of the Chief Justice or President by or under this or any other Act—\n\t(a)\ton the appointment of a judge to be Acting Chief Justice or Acting President, devolves on the judge so appointed; or\n\t(b)\tif no such appointment is made, devolves—\n\t(i)\tduring the absence or inability of the Chief Justice or until a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice is filled—\n\t(A)\ton the President; or\n\t(B)\tif the President is absent or, for any reason, is unable for the time being to carry out the duties of the office—on the most senior of the puisne judges appointed to the Court of Appeal who is available to undertake those responsibilities; or\n\t(ii)\tduring the absence or inability of the President or until a vacancy in the office of President is filled—on the most senior of the puisne judges appointed to the Court of Appeal who is available to undertake those responsibilities.\n11—Acting judges and acting Associate Justices\n\t(1)\tWhere it appears necessary or desirable to do so in the interests of the administration of justice, the Governor may, subject to subsection (6)—\n\t(a)\tappoint a person who is qualified for appointment as a puisne judge as an acting judge (either of the court or of the Court of Appeal); or\n\t(b)\tappoint a person who is qualified for appointment as an Associate Justice as an acting Associate Justice.\n\t(1a)\tA former judge or Associate Justice who has retired from office is eligible for appointment as an acting judge (of the court or of the Court of Appeal) or an acting Associate Justice.\n\t(1b)\tAn appointment under this section will be for a term not exceeding 12 months.\n\t(2)\tThe jurisdiction of the court is exercisable by an acting judge to the same extent as by a judge, and by an acting Associate Justice to the same extent as by an Associate Justice.\n\t(3)\tAn acting judge or acting Associate Justice has the same privileges and immunities as a judge or Associate Justice.\n\t(5)\tAn acting judge or an acting Associate Justice may, notwithstanding the expiration of the period of his appointment, complete the hearing of any proceedings part-heard by him before the expiration of that period and, in relation to any such proceedings, shall be deemed to continue as an acting judge, or acting Associate Justice.\n\t(6)\tA District Court Judge or a Deputy President of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or of the South Australian Employment Tribunal may not be appointed as an acting judge under subsection (1) except on the recommendation of the Chief Justice made with the concurrence of the Chief Judge of the District Court or of the President of the relevant Tribunal (as the case requires).\n12—Remuneration of judges and Associate Justices\n\t(1)\tThe Chief Justice, the President and each puisne judge are entitled to salary and allowances at rates determined by the Remuneration Tribunal in relation to the respective offices.\n\t(2)\tAn Associate Justice is entitled to salary and allowances at the rates applicable to a District Court Judge.\n\t(3)\tA rate of salary for a judge or Associate Justice cannot be reduced by determination of the Remuneration Tribunal.\n\t(4)\tThe remuneration of the judges and Associate Justices is payable from the General Revenue of the State, which is appropriated to the necessary extent.\n13—Salaries of Judges, and officers to be in lieu of fees\nThe salaries of the judges, and of the officers of the court, shall be in lieu of all fees or other emoluments whatsoever, it being the intent of this Act that the judges and the officers of the court shall derive no emolument from any fees payable under the authority of this Act, but that such fees shall be paid to the Treasurer in aid of the general revenue of the State.\n13A—Retirement of judges and Associate Justices\n\t(1)\tA judge or Associate Justice shall retire on reaching the age of seventy years.\n\t(2)\tSection 74 of the Constitution Act 1934 shall be read subject to this section.\n\t(3)\tA judge or Associate Justice who retires or resigns may nevertheless complete the hearing and determination of proceedings part-heard by him before his retirement or resignation and, in relation to any such proceedings, shall be deemed to continue as a judge or Associate Justice (as the case may require).\n13B—Special leave\n\t(1)\tA judge may apply to the Chief Justice for special leave without remuneration.\n\t(2)\tThe Governor may, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice, grant an application for special leave under this section.\n\t(3)\tA period of special leave under this section will not be taken to be judicial service within the meaning of the Judges' Pensions Act 1971.\n13H—Pre-retirement leave\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, the Governor may grant to any judge or Associate Justice immediately prior to his retirement not more than six months leave of absence on full salary.\n\t(2)\tWhere a judge or Associate Justice retires or resigns without taking any leave which had been or could have been granted to him under subsection (1) of this section, the Governor may direct that a cash payment be made to him in lieu of the leave not so taken. The payment shall not exceed the amount of the salary of the judge or Associate Justice for a period equal to the period of the leave not so taken, calculated at the rate at which he was being paid at the time of the retirement or resignation.\n\t(3)\tA direction under subsection (2) of this section may be given before or after the retirement or resignation of the judge or Associate Justice and a payment under that subsection may be made before or after that retirement or resignation.\n\t(4)\tIf any judge or Associate Justice dies before the commencement or during the currency of any leave granted or before such leave has been granted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section the Governor may, in respect of the period of the leave so granted or the unexpired portion thereof, or in respect of the period of the leave which might have been granted (according to the circumstances of the case), pay to the dependants (if any) of such judge or Associate Justice the amounts of salary which would have been payable to such judge or Associate Justice himself if he had survived.\n\t(4a)\tIf the judge or Associate Justice died without leaving any dependants the Governor may pay the said amounts of salary to his personal representatives.\n\t(4b)\tAny question as to—\n\t(a)\twhether there are any dependants in any particular case, or who are the dependants;\n\t(b)\twhat dependant or dependants shall be entitled to the benefit of payments made under this subsection, and in what proportions if more than one dependant,\nshall be settled by the Governor, as he deems proper.\n\t(4c)\tIn this section—\ndependants means those members of the family of a judge or Associate Justice who were wholly or in part dependent upon his earnings at the time of his death;\ndomestic partner, in relation to a deceased judge or Associate Justice, means—\n\t(a)\ta person declared under the Family Relationships Act 1975 to have been the domestic partner of that judge or Associate Justice (as the case may be) as at the date of the judge's or Associate Justice's death; or\n\t(b)\ta person who was in a registered relationship with the judge or Associate Justice (as the case may be) as at the date of the judge's or Associate Justice's death;\nmembers of the family includes spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, step-parents, children, grandchildren, step-children, brothers, sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters;\nregistered relationship means a relationship that is registered under the Relationships Register Act 2016, and includes a corresponding law registered relationship under that Act;\nspouse—a person is the spouse of another if they are legally married.\n\t(5)\tWhere leave is granted to any judge or Associate Justice under this section, that judge or Associate Justice may, at the commencement of such leave, be paid the total salary which would be payable to him during the currency of the leave.\n\t(6)\tThis section shall not apply to a person who was, immediately before the commencement of the Statutes Amendment (Administration of Courts and Tribunals) Act 1981, the master or a deputy master of the court.\n13I—Appointment and conditions of judicial registrars\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may, on the recommendation of the Attorney‑General and with the concurrence of the Chief Justice, appoint a legal practitioner of at least 5 years standing to be a Supreme Court judicial registrar.\n\t(2)\tThe term of appointment (which must be for at least 7 years), the remuneration and the conditions of service applicable to a person holding an appointment under this section will be as determined by the Governor with the concurrence of the Chief Justice, and specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\t(3)\tAn appointment of a judicial registrar under this section will be taken to be on a full‑time basis unless the instrument of appointment provides that the appointment is on a part‑time basis.\n\t(4)\tHowever, a judicial registrar not appointed on a part‑time basis may, by written agreement with the Chief Justice made with the approval of the Attorney‑General, perform the duties of office on a part‑time basis for a period specified in the agreement.\n\t(5)\tAn instrument appointing a judicial registrar on a part‑time basis or an agreement under subsection (4) must specify the hours of duty the judicial registrar will ordinarily be required to work, expressed as a proportion of the time a judicial registrar appointed on a full‑time basis is ordinarily required to work.\n\t(6)\tThe hours of duty specified in an instrument of appointment or an agreement under subsection (4) may be varied by written agreement between the judicial registrar and the Chief Justice made with the approval of the Attorney‑General.\n\t(7)\tThe remuneration determined by the Governor with the concurrence of the Chief Justice and specified in the instrument of appointment may not be reduced by subsequent determination.\n\t(8)\tHowever, a judicial registrar (whether appointed on a full‑time or part‑time basis) is, while performing the duties of the office on a part‑time basis, entitled to remuneration on a pro‑rata basis in respect of the hours of duty at the rate determined by the Governor under this section in relation to a judicial registrar appointed on a full‑time basis.\n\t(9)\tFor the purpose of determining whether a legal practitioner has the standing necessary for appointment to the office of judicial registrar, periods of legal practice within and outside the State will be taken into account.\n\t(10)\tA person appointed as a judicial registrar is, on the recommendation of the Attorney‑General and with the concurrence of the Chief Justice eligible for reappointment at the expiration of a term of office.\n\t(11)\tA judicial registrar may, with the approval of the Attorney‑General and the concurrence of the Chief Justice, concurrently hold office as a member of the court's non‑judicial staff if the non‑judicial office is compatible with the judicial office.\n13J—Judicial registrar ceasing to hold office and suspension\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may, on the recommendation of the Attorney‑General, remove a judicial registrar from office for—\n\t(a)\tmental or physical incapacity to carry out official duties satisfactorily; or\n\t(b)\tneglect of duty; or\n\t(c)\tdishonourable conduct.\n\t(2)\tA judicial registrar ceases to hold office if the judicial registrar—\n\t(a)\tdies; or\n\t(b)\tcompletes a term of office and is not reappointed; or\n\t(c)\tresigns by written notice to the Attorney‑General; or\n\t(d)\tceases to satisfy any qualification by virtue of which the person was eligible for appointment to the office of judicial registrar; or\n\t(e)\tis removed from office under subsection (1).\n\t(3)\tThe Attorney‑General may only make a recommendation under subsection (1) with the concurrence of the Chief Justice.\n\t(4)\tThe Chief Justice may, on the Chief Justice's own initiative or at the request of the Attorney‑General, suspend a judicial registrar from office if it appears that there may be grounds for the removal of the judicial registrar from office.\n\t(5)\tIf a judicial registrar is suspended under subsection (4), the judicial registrar remains entitled to the judicial registrar's usual remuneration and allowances during the period of suspension.\n14—Certain common interests do not disqualify\nA judge, Associate Justice or judicial registrar of the court is not incapable of acting in judicial office in any proceeding by reason of being 1 of several ratepayers or taxpayers or 1 of any other class of persons liable in common with others to contribute to or be benefited by a rate or tax which may be increased, diminished or in any way affected by that proceeding.\n15—Seal of court\n\t(1)\tThe court shall continue to have and use a seal bearing a device or impression of the Royal Arms, within an exergue or label surrounding the same, and with the following inscription: \"Supreme Court, South Australia\"; and the said seal shall be kept in the custody of the registrar.\n\t(2)\tThere shall also be kept and used such other seals as are required for the business of the court, and such seals shall be in such form and kept in such custody as the Chief Justice directs.\n\t(3)\tAll documents and exemplifications and copies thereof purporting to be sealed with any such seal shall be receivable in evidence without further proof of the seal.\n16—Councils of judges to consider procedure and administration of justice\nThe judges shall—\n\t(a)\tassemble once at least in every year for the purpose of considering the operation of this Act and of the rules of court for the time being in force, and also the working of the several offices, and the arrangements relative to the duties of the officers of the court respectively, and of inquiring and examining into any defects which appear to exist in the system of procedure or the administration of the law in the said court; and\n\t(b)\treport annually to the Attorney-General of the State what (if any) amendments it would, in their judgment, be expedient to make in this Act, or otherwise relating to the administration of justice, and what other provisions (if any) which cannot be carried into effect without the authority of Parliament, it would be expedient to make for the better administration of justice.\n","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Jurisdiction and powers of the court","content":"Part 2—Jurisdiction and powers of the court\n","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Div 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"General Division","content":"Division 1—General Division\n17—General jurisdiction\n\t(1)\tThe court shall be a court of law and equity.\n\t(2)\tSubject to subsection (3), there is vested in the court in its General Division—\n\t(a)\tthe like jurisdiction, in and for the State, as was formerly vested in, or capable of being exercised by, all or any of the courts in England, following:\n\t(i)\tThe High Court of Chancery, both as a common law court and as a court of equity:\n\t(ii)\tThe Court of Queen's Bench:\n\t(iii)\tThe Court of Common Pleas at Westminster:\n\t(iv)\tThe Court of Exchequer both as a court of revenue and as a court of common law:\n\t(v)\tThe courts created by commissions of assize:\n\t(b)\tsuch other jurisdiction, whether original or appellate, as is vested in, or capable of being exercised by the court:\n\t(c)\tsuch other jurisdiction as is in this Act conferred upon the court.\n\t(3)\tThe court does not, in its General Division, have jurisdiction in respect of the matters that are, under section 19B, to be heard and determined by the Court of Appeal.\n18—Testamentary jurisdiction\n\t(1)\tSubject to this Act and the Succession Act 2023, the court has jurisdiction, including jurisdiction for all purposes the court considers appropriate—\n\t(a)\tto make and revoke a grant of probate of the will or letters of administration of the estate of any deceased person; and\n\t(b)\tto hear and decide all testamentary matters; and\n\t(c)\tto hear and decide all matters relating to the estate and the administration of the estate of any deceased person.\n\t(2)\tThe court may make any declaration, and make and enforce any order, that may be necessary or convenient in the exercise of its jurisdiction under the Succession Act 2023.\n19—Matrimonial jurisdiction\nThere shall be vested in the court—\n\t(a)\tthe like jurisdiction in relation to matrimonial causes and matters as was immediately before the commencement of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1857 vested in or exercisable by any ecclesiastical court or person in England in respect of divorce a mensa et thoro, nullity of marriage, jactitation of marriage or restitution of conjugal rights, and in respect of any matrimonial cause or matter except marriage licences:\n\t(b)\tall such jurisdiction in relation to matrimonial causes and matters as under or by virtue of any enactment not repealed by this Act, is vested in or capable of being exercised by the court.\n","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Div 1A","sectionType":"division","heading":"Court of Appeal","content":"Division 1A—Court of Appeal\n19A—Establishment of Court of Appeal\nThe Court of Appeal is established as a division of the Supreme Court.\n19B—Jurisdiction\nThe Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine—\n\t(a)\tsubject to this or any other Act, all appeals from a single judge sitting in court as a judge; and\n\t(b)\tsubject to this or any other Act, and to the rules of court—all appeals from a single judge sitting in chambers; and\n\t(c)\tall rules and orders to show cause returnable before the Court of Appeal; and\n\t(d)\tall questions of law referred to or reserved for the consideration of, or directed to be argued before the Court of Appeal; and\n\t(e)\tall causes and matters which are required by the rules of court, or by the express provision of any other Act, to be heard or determined by the Court of Appeal.\n19C—General requirements as to constitution of Court of Appeal\n\t(1)\tSubject to this or any other Act, and to the rules of court, the Court of Appeal will be constituted of not less than 3 judges when hearing and determining any matter.\n\t(2)\tIf, in accordance with any Act or rules of court, the Court of Appeal may be constituted by 2 judges, a decision of the Court is to be in accordance with the opinion of those judges or, if the judges are divided in opinion, the proceedings are to be reheard and determined by the Court of Appeal constituted by 3 judges (including, if practicable, the 2 judges who first heard the proceedings).\n19D—Powers\nIn hearing and determining matters within the jurisdiction conferred by section 19B, the Court of Appeal has and may exercise any jurisdiction or powers—\n\t(a)\tthat the court has in its General Division; or\n\t(b)\tthat were exercisable by the Full Court of the Supreme Court immediately before the commencement of section 4(2) of the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) Amendment Act 2019.\n","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Div 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Law and equity","content":"Division 2—Law and equity\n20—Concurrent administration of law and equity\nIn every civil cause or matter commenced in the court, law and equity shall be administered by the court according to the provisions of the seven sections of this Act next following.\n21—Equities of plaintiff\nIf a plaintiff claims to be entitled to any equitable estate or right, or to relief upon any equitable ground against any deed, instrument, or contract, or against any right, title, or claim whatsoever, asserted by any defendant or respondent in the cause or matter, or to any relief founded upon a legal right which formerly could only have been given by the court in its equitable jurisdiction, the court shall give to the plaintiff the same relief as ought formerly to have been given by the court in its equitable jurisdiction in a suit or proceeding properly instituted for the like purpose.\n22—Equitable defences\nIf a defendant claims to be entitled to any equitable estate or right, or to relief upon any equitable ground against any deed, instrument, or contract, or against any right, title, or claim asserted by any plaintiff in the cause or matter, or alleges any ground of equitable defence to any such claim of the plaintiff, the court shall give to every equitable estate, right, or ground of relief so claimed, and to every equitable defence so alleged the same effect by way of defence against the claim of the plaintiff as the court in its equitable jurisdiction ought formerly to have given if the same or the like matters had been relied on by way of defence in a suit or proceeding instituted in that court for the like purpose.\n23—Counter-claims and third parties\n\t(1)\tThe court shall have power to grant to any defendant, in respect of any equitable estate or right, or other matter of equity, and also in respect of any legal estate, right, or title claimed or asserted by him—\n\t(a)\tall such relief against any plaintiff as the defendant has properly claimed by his pleading, and as the court or judge might have granted in any suit instituted for that purpose by the same defendant against the same plaintiff; and\n\t(b)\tall such relief relating to or connected with the original subject of the cause or matter, and in like manner claimed against any other person, whether already a party to the same cause or matter or not, who has been duly served with notice in writing of such claim, pursuant to any rules of court, as might properly have been granted against that person if he had been made a defendant to a cause duly instituted by the same defendant for the like purpose.\n\t(2)\tEvery person served with any such notice shall thenceforth be deemed a party to the cause or matter with the same rights in respect of his defence against the claim, as if he had been duly sued in the ordinary way by the defendant.\n24—Equities appearing incidentally\nThe court shall recognise and take notice of all equitable estates, titles, and rights, and all equitable duties and liabilities appearing incidentally in the course of any cause or matter pending before it, in the same manner in which the said court in its equitable jurisdiction would formerly have recognised and taken notice of the same in any suit or proceeding duly instituted therein.\n25—Defence instead of injunction or prohibition\nNo cause or proceeding at any time pending in the court shall be restrained by prohibition or injunction, but every matter of equity on which an unconditional injunction against the prosecution of any such cause or proceeding might formerly have been obtained, may be relied on by way of defence thereto:\nProvided that—\n\t(a)\tnothing in this Act shall disable the court, if it thinks fit, from directing a stay of proceedings in any cause or matter pending before it; and\n\t(b)\tany person, whether a party or not to any such cause or matter, who would formerly have been entitled to apply to the court, in any of its jurisdictions, to restrain the prosecution thereof, or who may be entitled to enforce, by attachment or otherwise, any judgment, decree, rule, or order, in contravention of which all or any part of the proceedings in such cause or matter may have been taken, shall be at liberty to apply to the court, in a summary way, for a stay of proceedings in the cause or matter, either generally or so far as may be necessary for the purposes of justice, and the court shall thereupon make such order as is just.\n26—Common law and statutory rights and duties\nSubject to the provisions of this Act for giving effect to equitable rights and other matters of equity, the court shall recognise and give effect to all legal claims and demands, and all estates, titles, rights, duties, obligations, and liabilities, existing by the common law, or by any custom, or created by any statute, in the same manner as those matters would formerly have been recognised and given effect to by the court in any branch of its jurisdiction.\n27—Court to do complete justice in cause so as to avoid multiplicity of suits\nThe court in every cause or matter pending before it shall have power to grant, and shall grant, either absolutely or on such reasonable terms and conditions as it deems just, all such remedies whatsoever as any of the parties thereto may appear to be entitled to in respect of every legal or equitable claim properly brought forward by them respectively, in such cause or matter, so that, as far as possible, all matters so in controversy between the parties may be completely and finally determined, and all multiplicity of legal proceedings concerning any of such matters avoided.\n28—Rules of equity to prevail where in conflict with common law\nSubject to the express provisions of any other Act, in questions relating to the custody and education of infants, and generally in all matters not particularly mentioned in this Act in which there was formerly any conflict or variance between the rules of equity and the rules of common law with reference to the same matter, the rules of equity shall prevail in all the courts of the State, so far as the matters to which those rules relate, are cognizable by those courts.\n","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Div 3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Miscellaneous powers","content":"Division 3—Miscellaneous powers\n29—Court may make orders to have effect of mandamus or injunction, and may appoint receivers\n\t(1)\tThe court may grant a mandamus, or an injunction, or appoint a receiver, by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the court to be just or convenient so to do.\n\t(2)\tAny such order may be made either unconditionally or upon such terms and conditions as the court thinks just.\n\t(3)\tIf an application is made (whether before, or at, or after the hearing of any cause or matter for an injunction) to prevent any threatened or apprehended waste or trespass, the injunction may be granted, if the court thinks fit, whether the person against whom the order is sought is or is not in possession under any claim of title or otherwise, or (if out of possession) does or does not claim a right to do the act sought to be restrained under any colour of title, and whether the estates claimed by both or by either of the parties are legal or equitable.\n30—Damages in certain cases\nIn any action arising out of the breach of any covenant, contract, or agreement, or instituted to prevent the commission or continuance of any wrongful act or for the specific performance of any covenant, contract, or agreement, the court shall have power to award damages to the party injured either in addition to or substitution for the injunction or specific performance, and those damages may be assessed by the court or in such manner as it directs.\n30A—Power to direct payment to infant\nWhere in any action the court determines that a party (being an infant) is entitled to recover damages from another party, the court may by final or declaratory judgment finally determining the question of liability between the parties order payment of any amount or amounts of damages, direct to the plaintiff. Any acknowledgment or receipt in writing of any moneys paid on account of any such amount or amounts pursuant to a judgment under this section shall not if the court so orders be invalid merely on the ground that the person giving the same was under the age of twenty-one years at the time of his signing or giving the same.\n30B—Power to make interim assessment of damages\n\t(1)\tWhere in any action the court determines that a party is entitled to recover damages from another party, it shall be lawful for the court to enter declaratory judgment finally determining the question of liability between the parties, in favour of the party who is entitled to recover damages as aforesaid, and to adjourn the final assessment thereof.\n\t(2)\tIt shall be lawful for the court when entering declaratory judgment and for any judge of the court at any time or times thereafter—\n\t(a)\tto make orders that the party held liable make such payment or payments on account of the damages to be assessed as to the court seems just; and\n\t(b)\tin addition to any such order or in lieu thereof, to order that the party held liable make periodic payments to the other party on account of the damages to be assessed during a stated period or until further order:\nProvided, however, that where the declaratory judgment has been entered in an action for damages for personal injury, such payment or payments shall not include an allowance for pain or suffering or for bodily or mental harm (as distinct from pecuniary loss resulting therefrom) except where serious and continuing illness or disability results from the injury or except that, where the party entitled to recover damages is incapacitated or partially incapacitated for employment and being in part responsible for his injury is not entitled to recover the full amount of his present or continuing loss of earnings, or of any hospital, medical or other expenses resulting from his injury, the court may order payment or payments not to exceed such loss of earnings and expenses and such payment or payments may be derived either wholly or in part from any damages to which the party entitled to recover damages has, but for the operation of this proviso, established a present and immediate right or except where the judge is of opinion that there are special circumstances by reason of which this proviso should not apply.\n\t(3)\tAny order for payment of moneys on account of damages made hereunder may be enforced as a judgment of the court.\n\t(4)\tWhere the court adjourns assessment of damages under this section, it may order the party held liable to make such payment into court or to give such security for payment of damages when finally assessed as it deems just.\n\t(5)\tWhen damages are finally assessed credit shall be given in the final assessment for all payments which have been made under this section and the final judgment shall state the full amount of damages, the total of all amounts already paid pursuant to this section and the amount of damages then remaining payable, and judgment shall be entered for the last-named amount.\n\t(6)\tWhere the court adjourns assessment of damages under this section, any party to the proceedings may apply to any judge of the court at any time and from time to time—\n\t(a)\tfor an order that the court proceed to final assessment of the damages; or\n\t(b)\tfor the variation or termination of any order which may have been made for the making of periodic payments.\nOn the hearing of any such application the judge shall make such order as he considers just: Provided that, in an action for damages for personal injury, upon an application for an order that the court proceed to final assessment of damages, the Judge to whom such application is made shall not refuse such order if the medical condition of the party entitled to recover damages is such that neither substantial improvement nor substantial deterioration thereof is likely to occur or if a period of four years or more has expired since the date of the declaratory judgment unless the judge is of opinion that there are special circumstances by reason of which such assessment should not then be made.\n\t(7)\tIf it appears to the court that a person in whose favour declaratory judgment has been entered has without reasonable cause failed to undertake such reasonable medical or remedial treatment as his case might have required or require, it shall not award damages for such disability, pain or suffering as would have been remedied but for such failure.\n\t(8)\tIf at any time it appears to a judge that a person in whose favour declaratory judgment has been entered and who is incapacitated or partially incapacitated for employment, is not sincerely or with the diligence which should be expected of him in the circumstances of his case, attempting to rehabilitate himself for employment any payment or payments under subsection (2) of this section shall not include by way of allowance for loss of earnings a sum in excess of seventy-five per centum of such person's loss of earnings.\n\t(9)\t—\n\t(a)\tNotwithstanding anything in the Survival of Causes of Action Act 1940, when damages are finally assessed under this section for the benefit of the estate of a deceased person where the deceased person died after action brought and declaratory judgment has been entered in favour of such person, the damages finally assessed may include such damages in respect of any of the matters referred to in section 3 of that Act as the court deems proper.\n\t(b)\tWhere a party dies after declaratory judgment has been entered in his favour but before final assessment of his damages in circumstances which would have entitled any person to recover damages, solatium or expenses by action pursuant to Part 2 of the Wrongs Act 1936, it shall be lawful for the executor or administrator of the deceased to proceed in the same action for the recovery of such damages, solatium or expenses for the benefit of such person notwithstanding the declaratory judgment or that the deceased has received moneys thereunder, provided, however, that in any such proceedings all moneys paid to the deceased pursuant to the declaratory judgment in excess of any actual and subsisting pecuniary loss resulting to him from the wrongful act of the party held liable shall be deemed to have been paid towards satisfaction of the damages, solatium or expenses awarded pursuant to the Wrongs Act 1936 and no further damages shall be payable in respect of the injury sustained by the deceased. In any proceedings hereunder, the declaratory judgment and any finding of fact made in the course of proceedings consequent thereupon shall enure as between the party held liable and the executor or administrator of the deceased.\n\t(c)\tWhere a party dies in the circumstances referred to in the preceding paragraph of this subsection except that the death of the deceased is not wholly attributable to the personal injury, the subject of the declaratory judgment, but was accelerated thereby, it shall be lawful for proceedings to be taken and for the court to assess damages, solatium or expenses as in the preceding paragraph but such damages, solatium or expenses shall be proportioned to the injury to the person for whom and for whose benefit the proceedings are taken resulting from such acceleration of death.\n\t(d)\tThe court may, if the justice of a case so requires, assess damages under paragraph (a) of this subsection notwithstanding the commencement or prosecution of proceedings under paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection and the damages so assessed shall be for the benefit of the estate of the deceased and no damages shall be awarded under paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection.\n\t(10)\tIn the exercise of the powers conferred by this section the court shall have regard to the facts and circumstances of the particular case, as they exist from time to time, and any allowance, or the final assessment, as the case may be, shall be such as to the court may seem just and reasonable as compensation to the person actually injured or to his or her dependants as the case may be.\n30BA—Consent orders for structured settlements\nIn an action for damages for personal injury, the court may, with the consent of the parties, make an order for damages to be paid wholly or in part in the form of periodic payments, by way of an annuity or otherwise, instead of in a lump sum.\n30C—Power to award interest\n\t(1)\tUnless good cause is shown to the contrary, the court shall, upon the application of a party in favour of whom a judgment for the payment of damages, compensation or any other pecuniary amount has been, or is to be, pronounced, include in the judgment an award of interest in favour of the judgment creditor in accordance with the provisions of this section.\n\t(2)\tThe interest—\n\t(a)\twill be calculated at a rate fixed by the court; and\n\t(b)\twill be calculated in respect of a period fixed by the court (which must, however, in the case of a judgment given on a liquidated claim, be the period running from when the liability to pay the amount of the claim fell due to the date of judgment unless the court otherwise determines); and\n\t(c)\tis payable, in accordance with the court's determination, in respect of the whole or part of the amount for which judgment is given.\n\t(3)\tWhere a party to any proceedings before the court is entitled to an award of interest under this section, the court may, in the exercise of its discretion, and without proceeding to calculate the interest to which that party may be entitled in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, award a lump sum in lieu of that interest.\n\t(4)\tThis section does not—\n\t(a)\tauthorise the award of interest upon interest; or\n\t(ab)\tauthorise the award of interest upon exemplary or punitive damages; or\n\t(b)\tapply in relation to any sum upon which interest is recoverable as of right by virtue of an agreement or otherwise; or\n\t(c)\taffect the damages recoverable upon the dishonour of a negotiable instrument; or\n\t(d)\tauthorise the award of any interest otherwise than by consent upon any sum for which judgment is pronounced by consent; or\n\t(e)\tlimit the operation of any other enactment or rule of law providing for the award of interest.\n31—Declaratory orders\nNo action or proceeding shall be open to objection on the ground that a merely declaratory judgment or order is sought thereby, and the court shall have power to make binding declarations of right whether any consequential relief is or could be claimed or not.\n32—Court may order mortgage instead of sale in certain cases\nIn any proceeding in which the court has power to order a sale of any real or personal property, the court shall have power, instead of ordering a sale, to make such order, as is just and convenient, for a mortgage of the property, with power of sale to the mortgagee; and, for the purpose of perfecting such mortgage, to order the execution of all deeds and documents in the same manner as in the case of a sale of property.\n34—Court may direct sale of mortgaged property etc\nIn any action for the foreclosure of the equity of redemption in any mortgaged property, and upon the request of the mortgagee, or of any subsequent encumbrancer, or of the mortgagor, or any person claiming under any such person, the court may direct a sale of the property, or a transfer of the mortgage debt and security, instead of a foreclosure of the equity of redemption, on such terms as the court thinks fit, and, if the court thinks fit, without previously determining the priorities of encumbrances, or giving the usual or any time to redeem: Provided that if the request is made by any subsequent encumbrancer, or by the mortgagor, or by any person claiming under such encumbrancer or mortgagor, no such sale shall be directed without the consent of the mortgagee or the persons claiming under him, unless the party making such request deposits in court a reasonable sum of money, to be fixed by the court, for the purpose of securing the performance of such terms as may be imposed on the party making such request.\n35—Power to require attendance of witnesses and production of evidentiary material\n\t(1)\tThe court may, on the application of a party to proceedings or on its own initiative, issue a subpoena requiring a person to appear before the court at a specified time and place to give evidence or to produce evidentiary material (or both).\n\t(2)\tA subpoena to produce evidentiary material may, instead of providing for production of the material before the court, provide for production of the material to an officer of the court nominated in the subpoena.\n\t(3)\tIf—\n\t(a)\ta person fails to comply with a subpoena under subsection (1); or\n\t(b)\tthere are grounds for believing that, if such a subpoena were issued, a person would not comply with it,\nthe court may issue a warrant to have the person arrested and brought before the court.\n36—Appointment of commissioners for taking affidavits\n\t(1)\tAny two or more judges of the court of whom the Chief Justice shall be one, may by commission under the seal of the court from time to time empower such persons as they think fit and necessary, whether within or outside the State, to take all such affidavits as any person desires to make before any person so empowered in or concerning any cause, matter or thing pending in the court.\n\t(2)\tEvery person so appointed shall be a commissioner for taking oaths in all causes and matters whatsoever in every jurisdiction of the court.\n38—Inspection of property in legal proceedings\n\t(1)\tFor the purpose of any proceeding therein, the court may order a view or inspection of any land or chattel, and any judge, juryman, or other person authorised by the order, may enter on any land or premises which it is necessary or convenient to enter on for the purpose of such inspection.\n\t(2)\tEvery person in possession of any such land or premises shall allow such entry for the purposes aforesaid, and in case of any obstruction or refusal of such entry, the person or persons so obstructing or refusing such entry, shall be deemed guilty of a contempt of court, and be liable to punishment accordingly.\n39—Vexatious proceedings\n\t(1)\tIf, on the application of the Attorney-General or any other interested person, the court is satisfied that a person has persistently instituted vexatious proceedings, the court may make either or both of the following orders:\n\t(a)\tan order prohibiting the person by whom the vexatious proceedings were instituted from instituting further proceedings, or further proceedings of a particular class, without permission of the court;\n\t(b)\tan order staying proceedings already instituted by that person.\n\t(2)\tWhere it appears to a prescribed court that there are proper grounds for an application under this section, it may refer the matter to the Attorney-General for consideration.\n\t(3)\tAn order under this section remains in force (subject to variation by the court)—\n\t(a)\tif a period for the operation of the order is fixed—until the expiration of that period or the revocation of the order (whichever first occurs);\n\t(b)\tif no such period is fixed—until revocation of the order.\n\t(4)\tWhere an order is made under this section, a copy of the order must be published in the Gazette.\n\t(5)\tFor the purposes of this section, proceedings are vexatious—\n\t(a)\tif instituted to harass or annoy, to cause delay, or for any other ulterior purpose; or\n\t(b)\tif instituted without reasonable ground.\nprescribed court means—\n\t(a)\tthe Supreme Court; or\n\t(b)\tany other court of the State; or\n\t(c)\tthe South Australian Employment Tribunal; and\n\t(d)\tany other tribunal of the State prescribed by the regulations;\nproceedings means civil or criminal proceedings instituted in a prescribed court.\n40—Power of court with regard to costs\n\t(1)\tSubject to the express provisions of this Act, and to the rules of court, and to the express provisions of any other Act whenever passed, the costs of and incidental to all proceedings in the court, including the administration of estates and trusts, shall be in the discretion of the court or judge, and the court or judge shall have full power to determine by whom and to what extent such costs are to be paid.\n\t(2)\tIf—\n\t(a)\tan action for the recovery of damages or any other monetary sum is brought in the court; and\n\t(b)\tthe action might have been brought in the District Court; and\n\t(c)\tthe plaintiff recovers less than an amount fixed by the rules for the purposes of this paragraph,\nno order for costs will be made in favour of the plaintiff unless the court is of the opinion that it is just, in the circumstances of the case, that the plaintiff should recover the whole or part of the costs of action.\n41—Power to revive orders on abatement of cause\nWhen any judgment or order for the payment of any costs or money has been made in any cause or matter, and the suit afterwards becomes abated, it shall be lawful for the court or a judge, upon the application of any person interested under the judgment or order, to make an order reviving the cause or matter, and permitting the applicant to prosecute and enforce the judgment or order, upon such terms (if any) as the court or judge thinks fit.\n","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Sittings and distribution of business","content":"Part 3—Sittings and distribution of business\n42—Abolition of terms\nThe division of the legal year into terms is abolished as far as relates to the administration of justice, and there shall be no terms applicable to any sitting or business of the court.\n43—Reference to terms for computing time\nIn all cases in which the terms, into which the legal year was formerly divided, are used as a measure for determining the time at or within which any act is required to be done, those terms may continue to be referred to for the same or the like purpose, unless provision is otherwise made by law.\n44—Sitting in vacation\nProvision shall be made by rules of court for the hearing during vacation of all such applications as require to be immediately or promptly heard.\n45—Time and place of sittings\n\t(1)\tThe court may sit at any time (including a Sunday).\n\t(2)\tThe court may sit at any place (either within or outside the State).\n\t(3)\tThe court in its General Division will sit at such times and places as the Chief Justice may direct.\n\t(3a)\tThe Court of Appeal will sit at such times and places as the President may direct.\n\t(4)\tRegistries of the court will be maintained at such places as the Governor may determine.\n46—Adjournment from time to time and place to place\nThe court may—\n\t(a)\tadjourn proceedings from time to time and from place to place; or\n\t(b)\tadjourn proceedings to a time, or a time and place, to be fixed; or\n\t(c)\torder the transfer of proceedings from place to place.\n46A—Sittings in open court or in chambers\nSubject to any provision of an Act or any rule to the contrary, the court's proceedings must be open to the public.\n46B—Sittings required by proclamation\nThe Governor may, by proclamation, require that sittings of the court (other than civil sittings) be held with a specified frequency in specified parts of the State.\n47—Distribution of business\n\t(1)\tIf the Chief Justice is satisfied that, by reason of—\n\t(a)\tthe complexity of a specified proceeding; and\n\t(b)\tthe limited availability of judges of the General Division,\nit is necessary to assign a judge in the Court of Appeal to hear the proceeding, the Chief Justice may, after consultation with the President of the Court of Appeal, by instrument in writing, assign and authorise a judge in the Court of Appeal to hear and determine the proceeding.\n\t(1a)\tThe consultation between the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal referred to in subsection (1) will be conducted in accordance with a protocol approved by the Judges at a council of judges held pursuant to section 16.\n\t(1b)\tWithout limiting subsections (1) and (1a), if—\n\t(a)\tthe Chief Justice and the President agree that it is convenient for the purposes of the proper administration of the Court—\n\t(i)\tthat a judge or acting judge in the General Division act as a judge in the Court of Appeal; or\n\t(ii)\tthat a judge or acting judge in the Court of Appeal act as a judge in the General Division; and\n\t(b)\tthe particular judge or acting judge agrees to undertake such acting duties,\nthe Chief Justice may, by instrument in writing, authorise the judge to undertake such acting duties for a specified proceeding or for a period specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\t(2)\tSubject to subsections (3) and (4), a judge may not be appointed to act in another division of the court in accordance with subsection (1b) for a period exceeding 12 months.\n\t(3)\tA judge who has been appointed to act in another division of the court under subsection (1b) for a period of 12 months may, if the Attorney‑General consents, be reappointed for a further period not exceeding 12 months.\n\t(4)\tA judge appointed to act in another division of the court under subsection (1b) may, despite the expiration of the period of the acting appointment, complete the hearing of any proceedings part‑heard by the judge before the expiration of that period and, in relation to any such proceedings, will be deemed to continue as an acting judge in that division of the court.\n48—Jurisdiction of single judge, Associate Justice, etc\n\t(1)\tSubject to this or any other Act, and to the rules of court, the jurisdiction vested in, or exercisable by the court, may be exercised by 1 or more judges sitting in court.\n\t(2)\tThe jurisdiction of the court may be exercised—\n\t(a)\tby a judge in chambers; or\n\t(b)\tby an Associate Justice or judicial registrar,\nto the extent authorised by this or any other Act, or by the rules of court.\n48A—Jurisdiction of judicial registrar\n\t(1)\tSubject to the regulations, judicial registrars may exercise the jurisdiction of the court as assigned by the Chief Justice or the rules.\n\t(2)\tIf the court is constituted of a judicial registrar in criminal proceedings, the court—\n\t(a)\tmay not impose a sentence of imprisonment; and\n\t(b)\tif of the opinion that the limitation on its powers imposed under this subsection prevents it from imposing an appropriate sentence—may adjourn the question of sentence for hearing and determination by a judge.\n49—Questions of law reserved for Court of Appeal\n\t(1)\tThe court constituted of a single judge, Associate Justice or judicial registrar may reserve a question of law for the consideration of the Court of Appeal.\n\t(2)\tSubject to any express enactment the like powers may be exercised in relation to any appeal or matter whatsoever, which comes before a judge, under any enactment by which a judge of the court is designated as the judge, arbitrator, or person appointed to hear and determine the appeal or matter, notwithstanding that the determination of the judge is expressed to be final or without appeal.\n50—Appeals\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section—\n\t(a)\tan appeal lies to the Court of Appeal against a judgment of the court constituted of a single judge; and\n\t(b)\tan appeal lies against a judgment of the court constituted of an Associate Justice.\n\t(2)\tAn appeal against a judgment of an Associate Justice or judicial registrar lies, if the rules so provide, to the Court of Appeal and otherwise to the court constituted of a single judge.\n\t(2a)\tSubject to the rules, subsections (3) and (4)(a)(i) do not apply to an appeal against a judgment of a judicial registrar.\n\t(3)\tNo appeal lies against—\n\t(a)\tan order allowing an extension of time to appeal from a judgment; or\n\t(b)\tan order giving unconditional permission to defend an action; or\n\t(c)\ta judgment that is, by statute, under the rules, or by agreement of the parties, final and without appeal.\n\t(4)\tAn appeal lies only with the permission of the court—\n\t(a)\tfrom a judgment of any of the following classes:\n\t(i)\ta judgment given by consent of the parties;\n\t(ii)\ta judgment given by a single judge on appeal from a judgment of the Magistrates Court; or\n\t(b)\tif the rules provide that the appeal lies by permission of the court.\n\t(5)\tThe rules cannot, however, require the court's permission for an appeal if the judgment under appeal—\n\t(a)\tdenies, or imposes conditions on, a right to defend an action; or\n\t(b)\tdeals with the liberty of the subject or the custody of an infant; or\n\t(c)\tgrants or refuses relief in the nature of an injunction or the appointment of a receiver; or\n\t(d)\tis a declaration of liability or a final assessment of damages under section 30B; or\n\t(e)\tmakes a final determination of a substantive right.\nException—\nIf a judgment is given by a single judge on appeal from some other court or tribunal, the rules may require the court's permission for a further appeal to the Court of Appeal even though the judgment makes a final determination of a substantive right.\njudgment includes—\n\t(a)\tan order or direction; and\n\t(b)\ta decision not to make an order or direction.\n","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Procedure generally","content":"Part 4—Procedure generally\n63—Criminal procedure\n\t(1)\tThe practice and procedure in all criminal causes and matters, including the practice and procedure upon appeal, except as expressly altered by this Act, shall be the same as the practice and procedure in similar causes and matters before the passing of this Act.\n\t(2)\tProceedings in quo warranto shall be deemed to be civil proceedings whether for the purposes of appeal or otherwise.\n64—Saving of existing procedure\nSave as is otherwise provided in this or any other Act, the practice and procedure of the court shall be as prescribed in the existing rules, and in all matters, for which no other provision is made, all forms and methods of procedure, which, under or by virtue of any law, general order or rules whatsoever, were formerly in force in the court, may continue to be used in the like cases and for the like purposes:\nProvided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect the power of the judges to make rules of court repealing or altering the existing rules.\n65—Mediation and conciliation\n\t(1)\tSubject to and in accordance with the rules of court, the court constituted of a judge, Associate Justice or judicial registrar may, with or without the consent of the parties, or the registrar may, with the consent of the parties, appoint a mediator and refer a civil proceeding or any issues arising in a civil proceeding for mediation by the mediator.\n\t(2)\tA mediator appointed under this section has the privileges and immunities of a judge and such of the powers of the court as the court may delegate.\n\t(3)\tA mediator appointed under this section must not, except as required or authorised to do so by law, disclose to another person any information obtained in the course or for the purposes of the mediation.\n\t(4)\tThe court may itself endeavour to achieve a negotiated settlement of a civil proceeding or resolution of any issues arising in a civil proceeding.\n\t(5)\tA judge, Associate Justice or judicial registrar who attempts to settle a proceeding or to resolve any issues arising in a proceeding is not disqualified from taking further part in the proceeding but will be so disqualified if he or she is appointed as a mediator in relation to the proceeding.\n\t(6)\tEvidence of anything said or done in an attempt to settle a proceeding by mediation under this section is not subsequently admissible in the proceeding or in related proceedings.\n\t(7)\tIf a case is settled under this section, the terms of the settlement may be embodied in a judgment.\n66—Trial of issues by arbitrator\n\t(1)\tThe court may refer a civil proceeding or any issues arising in a civil proceeding for trial by an arbitrator.\n\t(2)\tThe arbitrator may be appointed either by the parties to the proceeding or by the court.\n\t(3)\tThe arbitrator becomes for the purposes of the reference an officer of the court and may exercise such of the powers of the court as the court delegates to the arbitrator.\n\t(4)\tThe court will, unless good reason is shown to the contrary, adopt the award of the arbitrator as its judgment on the action or issues referred.\n\t(5)\tThe costs of the arbitrator will be borne, in the first instance, equally by the parties or in such other proportions as the court may direct, but the court may subsequently order that a party be reimbursed wholly or in part by another party for costs incurred under this subsection.\n67—Expert reports\n\t(1)\tThe court may refer any question arising in a civil proceeding for investigation and report by a referee who is an expert in the relevant field.\n\t(2)\tA person to whom a question is referred under this section becomes for the purposes of the investigation an officer of the court and may exercise such of the powers of the court as the court delegates.\n\t(3)\tThe court may adopt a report obtained under this section in whole or part.\n\t(4)\tThe costs of the expert's investigation and report will be borne, in the first instance, equally by the parties or in such other proportions as the court may direct, but the court may subsequently order that a party be reimbursed wholly or in part by another party for costs incurred under this subsection.\n71—Assessors\n\t(1)\tSubject to any rules of court, and to the right of having cases submitted to the verdict of a jury in accordance with the Juries Act 1927, the court may in any cause or matter before the court, in which it thinks it expedient so to do, call in the aid of one or more assessors, specially qualified, and try and hear such cause or matter wholly or partially, with the assistance of such assessors.\n\t(2)\tThe remuneration, if any, to be paid to such assessors shall be determined by the court, and the sum so fixed shall be paid by the sheriff in the same manner as jury fees are paid.\n72—Rules of court\n\t(1)\tRules of court may be made under this Act by any three or more judges of the Supreme Court for any of the following purposes:\n\t(a)\tfor regulating the sittings of the court, and of the judges sitting in chambers and the vacations to be observed by the court and the officers of the court;\n\t(b)\tregulating the practice and procedure of the court (including in its appellate jurisdiction);\n\t(c)\tfor imposing mutual obligations on parties to proceedings in the court to disclose to each other the contents of expert reports or other material of relevance to the proceedings before the proceedings are brought to trial;\n\t(d)\tfor regulating any matters relating to the referral of a proceeding or issues arising in a proceeding to a mediator or arbitrator, the conduct of mediations or arbitrations or the referral of questions for investigation and report by an expert (whether appointed under section 67 or otherwise);\n\t(da)\tfor regulating the making of bail applications, including limiting the making of bail applications to the court in circumstances where the application may be made to another court;\n\t(e)\tfor regulating and directing the means by which particular facts may be proved, and the mode in which evidence thereof may be given in any proceedings, or at any stage of the proceedings, and in relation to the purposes aforesaid for allowing examinations, affidavits, or depositions to be read at any trial or hearing, or in any cause or matter, or allowing secondary evidence to be given, and for providing that the court or a judge may give special directions or make special orders in relation to any of the matters aforesaid;\n\t(ea)\tfor empowering the court—\n\t(i)\tto order the carrying out of a biological or other scientific test that may be relevant to the determination of a question before the court; and\n\t(ii)\tto include in such an order directions about the carrying out of the test and, in particular, directions requiring a person (including a party to the proceedings) to submit to the test or to have a child or other person who is not of full legal capacity submit to the test; and\n\t(iii)\tif a party is required to submit to the test, or to have another submit to the test—to include in the order a stipulation that, if the party fails to comply with the order, the question to which the test is relevant will be resolved adversely to the party;\n\t(f)\tfor empowering Associate Justices or judicial registrars to do any such thing and to transact any such business and to exercise any such authority and jurisdiction in respect of the same, including the jurisdiction to refer a bill of costs for adjudication, or to refer any other matter to an Associate Justice, as by virtue of any statute, custom, or rule or practice of court may be done, transacted, or exercised by a judge;\n\t(g)\tfor regulating any matters relating to the business, authority and jurisdiction that may be transacted or exercised by the Associate Justices or judicial registrars;\n\t(h)\tfor regulating the duties of the officers of the court and the costs of proceedings therein (including the costs to be allowed to practitioners of the court in respect of business transacted in the court or the offices thereof), and the conduct of any business coming within the cognizance of the court, for which provision is not expressly made by any Act;\n\t(i)\tfor conferring on the registrar or other member of the non-judicial staff of the court the power to adjudicate costs;\n\t(j)\tfor regulating the admission of barristers, solicitors, attorneys, and proctors of the court;\n\t(k)\tand generally for any purpose mentioned in this Act or for carrying its provisions into effect.\n\t(2)\tThe power to make rules conferred by this section shall be deemed to include power to make rules in respect of any jurisdiction conferred upon the court or a judge thereof by any Act whenever passed.\n\t(3)\tWhere any provisions in respect of the practice or procedure of the court are contained in this or any other Act of Parliament, or in general orders or rules made under the authority of any Act, rules of court may be made for modifying such provision to any extent that may be deemed necessary.\n\t(4)\tRules of court made under this section take effect from the date of publication in the Gazette or some later date specified in the rules.\n","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Officers of the court","content":"Part 6—Officers of the court\nDivision 1—Registrar\n82—The registrar\n\t(1)\tThere shall be a registrar of the court.\n\t(2)\tNo registrar shall be appointed, dismissed or reduced in status, nor shall the office of registrar be abolished, except upon the recommendation, or with the concurrence, of the Chief Justice.\n\t(3)\tThe registrar is the court's principal administrative officer.\n\t(3a)\tThe registrar may, in addition to exercising the functions and duties assigned to him or her by this Act or any other Act, exercise any procedural or non-judicial powers of the court assigned by the Chief Justice or by rules of court under this or any other Act.\n\t(4)\tThe registrar shall, in relation to the performance and discharge of his functions and duties (so far as they relate to the business of the court), be subject to the control and direction of the Chief Justice.\nDivision 2—Tipstaves\n106—Appointment of tipstaves\n\t(1)\tThere will be such tipstaves of the court as are necessary.\n\t(2)\tNo tipstaff will be appointed except on the recommendation of the Chief Justice.\n107—Duty of tipstaves\nThe tipstaves of the court shall be in attendance on the sittings of the court, and any tipstaff may, without warrant, apprehend and lodge in prison all persons who, by the court or any judge, are ordered to be apprehended or committed into prison for contempt of court or otherwise.\n108—Other duties\nEvery tipstaff shall perform all such other duties as from time to time are by the court or a judge or rules of court directed to be performed by him.\nDivision 3—Further provisions as to officers\n109—Appointment of other officers\n\t(1)\tThe court shall have such other officers as are necessary for the administration of justice therein, and for the due execution of the judgments, decrees, orders, and processes thereof.\n\t(2)\tSubject to subsection (3), no such other officer will be appointed except on the recommendation of the Chief Justice.\n\t(3)\tThe associates to the judges will be appointed and may be removed from office by the Chief Justice, but otherwise will be subject to the Courts Administration Act 1993 in the same way as other staff of the court appointed under that Act.\n110—Duties of officers\nSubject to this Act, the business to be performed in the court, or in the chambers of any judge, other than that performed by the judges, shall be distributed among the officers of the court, in such manner as is directed by rules of court, or, in any cases not provided for by rules of court, as the court or any judge thereof may direct, and such officers shall perform such duties in relation to such business as is directed by this Act or by rules of court, or by such court or any judge thereof; and, subject to this Act and such rules of court, all such officers respectively shall continue to perform the same duties as nearly as may be in the same manner as if this Act had not passed.\n110A—Administrative and ancillary staff\n\t(1)\tThe court's administrative and ancillary staff consists of—\n\t(a)\tthe registrar; and\n\t(b)\tany other persons appointed to the non-judicial staff of the court.\n\t(2)\tThe court's administrative and ancillary staff (other than judges' associates) will be appointed under the Courts Administration Act 1993.\n110B—Responsibilities of non-judicial staff\nA member of the court's administrative or ancillary staff is responsible to the Chief Justice (through any properly constituted administrative superior) for the proper and efficient discharge or his or her duties.\n","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Part 7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous provisions","content":"Part 7—Miscellaneous provisions\n110C—Immunities\n\t(1)\tAn Associate Justice, judicial registrar, mediator or assessor has the same privileges and immunities from liability as a judge.\n\t(2)\tA non‑judicial officer of the court incurs no civil or criminal liability for an honest act or omission in carrying out or purportedly carrying out official functions.\n111—Rules as to division of loss upon collision at sea\n\t(1)\tWhere, by fault of two or more vessels, damage or loss is caused to one or more vessels, to their cargoes or freight, or to any property on board, the liability to make good the damage or loss shall be in proportion to the degree in which each vessel was in fault:\nProvided that, if, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, it is not possible to establish different degrees of fault, the liability shall be apportioned equally.\n\t(2)\tNothing in this section shall operate so as to render any vessel liable for any loss or damage to which her fault has not contributed.\n\t(3)\tNothing in this section shall affect the liability of any person under a contract of carriage or any contract, or shall be construed as imposing any liability upon any person from which he is exempted by any contract or by any provision of law or as affecting the right of any person to limit his liability in manner provided by law.\n\t(4)\tFor the purposes of this section, the expression freight includes passage money and hire, and references to damage or loss caused by the fault of a vessel shall be construed as including references to any salvage or other expenses consequent upon that fault, recoverable at law by way of damages.\n112—Damages for personal injuries\n\t(1)\tWhere loss of life or personal injuries are suffered by any person on board a vessel owing to the fault of that vessel and of any other vessel or vessels, the liability of the owners of the vessels shall be joint and several.\n\t(2)\tNothing in this section shall be construed as depriving any person of any right of defence on which, independently of this section, he might have relied in an action brought against him by the person injured or any person or persons entitled to sue in respect of such loss of life, or shall affect the right of any person to limit his liability in cases to which this section relates in the manner provided by law.\n113—Right of contribution\n\t(1)\tWhere loss of life or personal injuries are suffered by any person on board a vessel owing to the fault of that vessel, and any other vessel or vessels, and a proportion of the damages is recovered against the owner of one of the vessels which exceeds the proportion in which she was in fault, he may recover by way of contribution the amount of the excess from the owners of the other vessels to the extent to which those vessels were respectively in fault:\nProvided that no amount shall be so recovered which could not, by reason of any statutory or contractual limitation of, or exemption from, liability, or which could not for any other reason, have been recovered in the first instance as damages by the persons entitled to sue therefor.\n\t(2)\tIn addition to any other remedy provided by law, the persons entitled to any contribution as provided by subsection (1) of this section shall, for the purpose of recovering the contribution, have subject to the provisions of this Act, the same rights and powers as the persons entitled to sue for damages in the first instance.\n114—Interest on judgment debts\n\t(1)\tAll money, including costs, payable under any judgment or order shall bear interest at the rate from time to time prescribed by the rules of court.\n\t(2)\tThe interest shall be computed from the following times:\n\t(a)\tin the case of money other than adjudicated costs, from the time specified in the judgment or order, and if no time is so specified from the date of the judgment or order;\n\t(b)\tin the case of adjudicated costs, from the date of the certificate of the adjudicating officer by whom the costs were adjudicated or an earlier date specified by the adjudicating officer in the certificate.\n117—Orders to bring prisoners for examination\n\t(1)\tAny sheriff, gaoler, or other officer, having the custody of any prisoner, whose evidence is required in any action, trial, or proceeding, civil or criminal, shall upon receiving an order of a judge for that purpose, take such prisoner for examination before the court, or any judge thereof, or before any official or arbitrator or other person appointed to take any examination.\n\t(2)\tSuch an order may be obtained upon affidavit by the party requiring the attendance of such prisoner, and shall set forth the time when and place where such prisoner is to be taken for the purpose of the examination.\n\t(3)\tThe officer so ordered as aforesaid shall be entitled to be paid the like travelling and other expenses, and compensation for loss of time, as upon attendance at a trial.\n118—Legal process\n\t(1)\tAny process of the court may be issued, served or executed on a Sunday as well as any other day.\n\t(2)\tThe validity of process is not affected by the fact that the person who issued it dies or ceases to hold office.\n118A—Service\n\t(1)\tIf it is not practicable to serve any process, notice or other document relating to civil or criminal proceedings in the manner otherwise prescribed or contemplated by law, the court may, by order—\n\t(a)\tprovide for service by post; or\n\t(b)\tmake any other provision that may be necessary or desirable for service.\n\t(2)\tAny process, notice or other document served in accordance with an order under subsection (1) will, despite any other law, be taken to have been duly served.\n119—Suitors' funds to vest in registrar\nAll suitors' funds shall be vested in the registrar on behalf of the court and shall be dealt with by him in accordance with this Act and the rules of court, and any order of the court or a judge.\n120—Securities in court\nAll securities standing in court or at any time deposited in court shall be held by the registrar in trust to apply the same in accordance with law.\n121—Liability of Treasurer for default of registrar\n\t(1)\tThe Treasurer shall be liable to make good to the suitors of the court all suitors' funds and securities in court, and for that purpose may by authority of this Act, and without any further appropriation, make any necessary payments out of the general revenue of the State.\n\t(2)\tIf the Chief Justice certifies to the Treasurer in writing that the registrar has failed to pay any money in court or to transfer or deliver any securities in court required by law or by any order of the court to be paid, transferred, or delivered by him, or has been guilty of any default with respect to any such money or securities, the Treasurer shall pay out of the general revenue to such persons as are named by the Chief Justice in the certificate, such sums as the Chief Justice certifies in writing to be required for the purpose of paying the money so required to be paid or of replacing the securities so required to be transferred or delivered, or of making good such default.\n122—Banking and investment of suitors' funds\n\t(1)\tAll suitors' funds shall, as soon as practicable after payment into, or deposit in court, be paid into the Treasury or an ADI in Adelaide.\n\t(2)\tSuch funds or such part thereof as the rules direct shall be invested in such manner and at such times as the rules of court prescribe.\n\t(3)\tThe interest or other income from such investment shall be dealt with as prescribed by rules of court.\n\t(4)\tUntil rules of court are made under this section the law and practice relating to the deposit, payment, delivery and transfer in into and out of court of suitors' funds and securities which belong to suitors, shall continue as at the commencement of this Act.\n123—Investments made under order of the court\nAny money in court which under the rules of court or under the order of the court is required to be laid out in any particular investment shall be so laid out notwithstanding anything in this Act.\n124—Validity of payments etc pursuant to rules of court\nAll acts done by the registrar with reference to funds in court pursuant to and in accordance with rules of court shall be as valid and effectual as if they had been done in pursuance of an order of the court.\n125—Remittances by post\nWhere by rules of court the registrar is authorised to make payments of money to persons entitled thereto upon their request by transmitting to them by post crossed cheques or other documents intended to enable them to obtain payment of the sums expressed therein, the posting of a letter containing the cheque or document and addressed to the person entitled thereto at the address given by him in his request shall, as respects the liability of the registrar and of the Treasurer respectively, be equivalent to the delivery of the cheque or document to that person himself.\n126—Power to appoint deputies\nIn sections 120 to 126, inclusive, the term registrar shall not include an acting registrar, but the registrar may do any act, sign or execute any instrument and exercise any authority required or authorised to be done, signed, executed, or exercised by him in relation to suitors' funds, by a deputy of the registrar appointed by the Chief Justice.\n126A—Certain trials of sexual offences to be given priority\n\t(1)\tThe court will give the necessary directions to ensure that a trial of a sexual offence where the alleged victim of the offence is a person to whom this section applies is given priority over any less urgent criminal trial and is dealt with as expeditiously as the proper administration of justice allows.\n\t(2)\tIn this section—\nperson to whom this section applies means—\n\t(a)\ta child; or\n\t(b)\ta person with a disability that adversely affects the person's capacity to give a coherent account of the person's experiences or to respond rationally to questions;\nsexual offence means—\n\t(a)\trape; or\n\t(b)\tindecent assault; or\n\t(c)\tany offence involving unlawful sexual intercourse or an act of gross indecency; or\n\t(d)\tincest; or\n\t(e)\tany offence involving sexual exploitation or abuse of a child, or exploitation of a child as an object of prurient interest; or\n\t(ea)\tan offence of sexual exploitation of a person with a cognitive impairment under section 51 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935; or\n\t(f)\tany attempt to commit, or assault with intent to commit, any of the offences referred to in a preceding paragraph.\n126B—Death or incapacity of judge during trial\nIf, during the course of a civil or criminal trial, the presiding judge dies or is incapacitated—\n\t(a)\tif reasons for judgment in final form were prepared by the presiding judge—another judge appointed by the Chief Justice may publish the reasons and grant judgment in accordance with them; or\n\t(b)\tin any other case—another judge appointed by the Chief Justice may complete the hearing and determination of the proceeding and—\n\t(i)\trehear evidence and submissions to the extent that the judge thinks fit; and\n\t(ii)\tmake orders as appropriate.\n127—Rules of Court\nThe judges may make rules of court in accordance with the provisions for making rules of court contained in this Act for regulating—\n\t(a)\tthe deposit, payment, delivery and transfer in, into, and out of court of money and securities which belong to suitors or are otherwise capable of being deposited in or paid or transferred into court or under the custody of the court; and\n\t(b)\tthe investment of and other dealings with money and securities in court; and\n\t(c)\tthe disposal of the interest or other income from such investments; and\n\t(d)\tthe execution of the orders of the court and the powers and duties of the registrar with reference to such money and securities; and\n\t(e)\tany other matters incidental to or connected with the matters previously mentioned in this section.\n128—Payment to the Treasurer of unclaimed suitors' funds\n\t(1)\tIn the month of July in every year the registrar shall pay to the Treasurer, as part of the general revenue of the State, all suitors' funds which, on the first day of that month, have been unclaimed for the period of six years next preceding.\n\t(2)\tSuch moneys shall not be afterwards claimable from the Treasurer unless the court otherwise orders.\n129—Party subsequently claiming may petition the Supreme Court etc\n\t(1)\tIf at any time after any such money has been so paid to the Treasurer, any person applies to the court, by summons, for the payment to him of that money or any part thereof, and the court is satisfied upon affidavit or other sufficient evidence adduced that the applicant is entitled to the whole or any part of the money claimed by him, the court shall make an order for payment of the sum to which the applicant is entitled, with or without such additional amount as would have accrued (whether as interest or otherwise) had that sum been retained by the court from the time when it was paid to the Treasurer to the time of the court order.\n\t(2)\tOn any such order being served on the Treasurer he shall issue and pay the money mentioned in the order to the persons to whom it is payable by virtue of the order, and the receipt of any person to whom any such money is so paid shall be a full and valid discharge for the sum stated in the receipt to have been received.\n130—Court fees\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may, by regulation, prescribe and provide for the payment of fees in respect of proceedings in the court, or any step in such proceedings.\n\t(1a)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters:\n\t(a)\tspecific fees;\n\t(b)\tmaximum fees;\n\t(c)\tminimum fees;\n\t(d)\tfees that vary according to value, time, class of matter, or on any other basis;\n\t(e)\tfees that differ for different classes of proceedings, different classes of party or different jurisdictions of the court;\n\t(f)\tthe manner of payment of fees;\n\t(g)\tthe time or times at which fees are to be paid,\nand it is not necessary for a fee to be related to the actual administrative cost incurred.\n\t(1b)\tThe regulations may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general or limited application; and\n\t(b)\tmake different provision according to the persons, things or circumstances to which they are expressed to apply; and\n\t(c)\tprovide in a specified case or class of case for the exemption of any proceeding, person or thing, or a class of proceeding, person or thing, from any of the provisions of the regulations, whether—\n\t(i)\tunconditionally or on specified conditions; and\n\t(ii)\teither wholly or to such an extent as is specified; and\n\t(d)\tprovide for the payment in advance of a fee or part of a fee prescribed under the regulations; and\n\t(e)\tprovide for the reduction, waiver, postponement, remission or refund, in whole or in part, of a fee prescribed under the regulations; and\n\t(f)\tprovide, in specified circumstances, for the reinstatement or payment, in whole or in part, of a fee prescribed under the regulations which was reduced, waived, postponed, remitted or refunded under the regulations; and\n\t(g)\tconfer a discretionary authority or impose a duty on the court, a member of the court's judiciary or the registrar.\n\t(2)\tThe court may remit or reduce a fee on account of the poverty of the party by whom the fee is payable or for any other proper reason.\n131—Accessibility to court records\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, the court must, on application by any member of the public, allow the applicant to inspect or obtain a copy of—\n\t(aa)\tany process relating to proceedings and forming part of the court's records;\n\t(a)\ta transcript of evidence taken by the court in any proceedings;\n\t(b)\tany documentary material admitted into evidence in any proceedings;\n\t(c)\ta transcript of submissions by counsel;\n\t(d)\ta transcript of the judge's summing up or directions to the jury, in a trial by jury;\n\t(e)\ta transcript of reasons for judgment (including remarks made by the court on passing sentence);\n\t(f)\ta judgment or order given or made by the court.\n\t(2)\tA member of the public may inspect or obtain a copy of the following material only with the permission of the court:\n\t(a)\tmaterial that was not taken or received in open court;\n\t(b)\tmaterial that the court has suppressed from publication;\n\t(ba)\tsensitive material in the custody of the court;\n\t(c)\tmaterial placed before the court during sentencing proceedings;\n\t(d)\tdocumentary material filed in connection with committal proceedings;\n\t(e)\ta transcript of any oral evidence taken at committal proceedings;\n\t(f)\ta photograph, slide, film, video tape, audio tape or other form of recording from which a visual image or sound can be produced;\n\t(fa)\ta report prepared to assist the court in determining a person's eligibility for, or progress in, an intervention program (within the meaning of the Bail Act 1985 or the Sentencing Act 2017 or the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009);\n\t(g)\tmaterial of a class prescribed by the regulations.\n\t(3)\tThe court may permit inspection or copying of material referred to in subsection (2) subject to any of the following conditions:\n\t(a)\ta condition that material that is sensitive material will be available for examination under the supervision of the court at a place specified in the notice and at a time to be arranged;\n\t(b)\ta condition limiting the publication or use of the material;\n\t(c)\tany other condition that the court considers appropriate.\n\t(4)\tA decision by the court on an application under this section is administrative and is final and not subject to any form of review.\n\t(4a)\tDespite the preceding subsections, if 100 years have passed since the end of the calendar year in which material referred to in this section became part of the court's records—\n\t(a)\tin the case of records that have been delivered into the custody of State Records—section 26 of the State Records Act 1997 applies (to the exclusion of this section) to the giving of access to the records; and\n\t(b)\tin any other case—a member of the public may, without any requirement to seek permission of the court, be given access to the records.\n\t(5)\tThe court may charge a fee, fixed by regulation, for inspection or copying of material under this section.\nsensitive material—see section 67H of the Evidence Act 1929.\nSchedule—Acts repealed\n\nNumber and year of Act\nShort or long title of Act\nExtent of repeal\n15 of 1842\nAn Act to regulate the Appointment and the Duties of the Sheriff of the Province of South Australia\n3 of 1843\nAn Ordinance to amend an Ordinance intituled \"An Act to regulate the Appointment and Duties of the Sheriff of the Province of South Australia\"\n9 of 1845\nAn Ordinance for adopting in South Australia certain parts of an Act made and passed in the Imperial Parliament which was held in the First and Second Years of the Reign of Her present Majesty intituled \"An Act for abolishing Arrest on mesne Process in Civil Actions, except in certain cases; for extending the remedies of Creditors against the property of Debtors; and for amending the laws for the relief of Insolvent Debtors in England\n14 of 1845\nAn Ordinance to provide for the performance of certain matters in the Supreme Court during the occasional absence of the Judge at a distance from Adelaide\n20 of 1852\nAn Act to enable the Sheriff to appoint a Deputy to perform the Duties of his Office, and to abolish the Poundage now payable on taking the body in execution\n5 of 1853\nSupreme Court Procedure Amendment Act\nThe whole except sections 162–172, inclusive\n6 of 1853\nAn Act to give relief to Persons having Claims against the Local Government of South Australia by authorising them to try the validity of such Claims in a Court of Law or Equity\n24 of 1855–6\nThe Supreme Court Procedure Act 1855\n30 of 1855–6\nAn Act to facilitate Actions against Persons absent from the colony and against persons sued as Joint Contractors\n\n31 of 1855–6\nAn Act to consolidate the several Ordinances relating to the establishment of the Supreme Court of the Province of South Australia\n4 of 1858\nThe Summary Procedure on Bills of Exchange Act 1858\n5 of 1858\nSupreme Court Procedure Further Amendment Act of 1858\n13 of 1858\nThe Third Judge and District Courts\n23 of 1859\nAn Act to provide for the appointment of Commissioners to take Affidavits as well in South Australia as elsewhere, to be made use of in the Supreme Court of South Australia and for the more easy Administration of Oaths to persons appointed to act as Justices of the Peace in South Australia\n5 of 1861\nAn Act to amend the Laws regulating the Court of Appeals of the Province of South Australia, and to extend the Powers thereof\n3 of 1862\nThe Common Law Procedure Act 1862\nThe whole, except sections 1, 2, and 3\n15 of 1865\nThe Court of Appeals Amendment Act 1865\n12 of 1865–6\nAn Act to provide for the more speedy administration of justice by means of the Supreme Court\n2 of 1866\nAn Act to protect certain persons from actions by reason of their being elected to Parliament while members of the Court of Appeals\n7 of 1866\nAn Act to regulate and amend the Practice and Procedure of the Supreme Court of the Province of South Australia in its Revenue Jurisdiction\nThe whole, except sections 15 and 26\n20 of 1866–7\nThe Equity Act 1866\nThe whole, except sections 150 and 151\n8 of 1867\nSupreme Court Act 1867\n6 of 1868–9\nAn Act to repeal Act No. 11 of 1866–7 intituled \"An Act to amend The Third Judge and Districts Courts Act, and for other purposes\" and to make further provision for the trial of Causes, and trial of Offences at places remote from the Supreme Court\n7 of 1868–9\nAn Act to amend the \"Supreme Court Act 1867\"\n23 of 1870–71\nAn Act to fix the tenure of office of the Primary Judge in Equity, and to provide for the performance of the duties of the office of Primary Judge in Equity in certain cases\n28 of 1873\nAn Act to increase the salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and of certain officers of the Civil Service of the Province of South Australia\n116 of 1878\nSupreme Court Act 1878\nThe whole, except paragraphs I-VII, inclusive, of section 6\n120 of 1878\nAn Act to amend \"The Equity Act 1866\"\n286 of 1883\nAn Act to amend \"The Third Judge and District Courts Act\" and the Act No. 6 of 1868–9\n514 of 1891\nThe Suitors Unclaimed Funds Act 1891\n1358 of 1919\nFourth Judge Act 1919\n1564 of 1923\nActs Interpretation Act Amendment Act 1923\n1739 of 1926\nSupreme Court Act Amendment Act 1926\n1761 of 1926\nFifth Judge Act 1926\n1864 of 1928\nSupreme Court Act 1928\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n Supreme Court Act 1935\n21.12.1935\n1.11.1937 (Gazette 25.3.1937 p646)\n Statute Law Revision Act 1936\n8.10.1936\n8.10.1936\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1944\n14.12.1944\n14.12.1944\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1947\n4.12.1947\n4.12.1947\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1951\n6.9.1951\n1.7.1951: s 4\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1952\n16.10.1952\n16.10.1952\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1953\n17.12.1953\n17.12.1953\n Statutes Amendment (Public Salaries) Act 1955\n23.6.1955\n1.6.1955: s 16(2)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1955\n30.9.1955\n30.9.1955\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1958\n27.11.1958\n1.7.1958: s 4\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1960\n24.11.1960\n24.11.1960\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1960\n1.12.1960\n1.12.1960\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1962\n15.11.1962\n15.11.1962\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1963\n21.11.1963\n21.11.1963\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1965\n23.9.1965\n23.9.1965\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1965\n9.12.1965\n9.12.1965\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 1) 1966\n1.12.1966\n12.1.1967 (Gazette 12.1.1967 p51)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1967\n30.3.1967\n30.3.1967\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1967\n13.4.1967\n22.6.1967 (Gazette 22.6.1967 p1850)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1969\n27.2.1969\n27.2.1969\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1969\n26.6.1969\n26.6.1969\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 3) 1969\n4.12.1969\n21.5.1970 (Gazette 21.5.1970 p1842)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1970\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1970\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 3) 1970\n10.12.1970\n1.1.1971 (Gazette 10.12.1970 p2646)\n Judges' Pensions Act 1971\n22.4.1971\n1.5.1971 (Gazette 22.4.1971 p2186)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1971\n26.8.1971\n26.8.1971\n Statutes Amendment (Judges' Salaries) Act 1972\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1972\n9.11.1972 (Gazette 9.11.1972 p2254)\n Crown Proceedings Act 1972\n20.4.1972\n14.12.1972 (Gazette 14.12.1972 p2630)\n Statutes Amendment (Judges' Salaries) Act 1974\n21.3.1974\n21.3.1974\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1974\n28.3.1974\n20.6.1974 (Gazette 20.6.1974 p2450)\n Statutes Amendment (Judges' Salaries) Act 1975\n Statute Law Revision Act 1975\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1978\n26.10.1978\n Sheriff's Act 1978\n30.11.1978\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1980\n Statutes Amendment (Administration of Courts and Tribunals) Act 1981\n19.3.1981\n1.7.1981 (Gazette 25.6.1981 p1896)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1982\n Judicial Remuneration Act 1982\n14.10.1982\n28.10.1982 (Gazette 28.10.1982 p1214)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1983\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1983\n Statutes Amendment (Oaths and Affirmations) Act 1984\n24.5.1984\n1.7.1984 (Gazette 28.6.1984 p1897)\n Statutes Amendment (Bail) Act 1985\n7.3.1985\n7.7.1985 (Gazette 9.5.1985 p1398)\n Statutes Amendment (Remuneration) Act 1985\n30.5.1985\n13.6.1985 (Gazette 13.6.1985 p2132)\n Statutes Amendment (Courts) Act 1985\n6.6.1985\n1.8.1985 (Gazette 11.7.1985 p92)\n Commercial Arbitration Act 1986\n18.12.1986\n9.7.1987 (Gazette 9.7.1987 p57)\n Supreme Court Act Amendment Act 1987\n19.11.1987\n19.11.1987\n Judicial Administration (Auxiliary Appointments and Powers) Act 1988\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 1991\n24.4.1991\n6.6.1991 (Gazette 6.6.1991 p1776)\n Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1991\n21.11.1991\n6.7.1992 (Gazette 25.6.1992 p1869)\n Statutes Repeal and Amendment (Courts) Act 1991\n12.12.1991\n Statutes Amendment (Courts) Act 1993\n27.5.1993\nPt 2 (s 5)—1.7.1993 (Gazette 24.6.1993 p2047); Pt 2 (s 4)—28.10.1993 (Gazette 27.10.1993 p1892)\n Statutes Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Retirement) Act 1993\n21.10.1993\n1.1.1994: s 2\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 1994\n26.5.1994\n7.7.1994 (Gazette 7.7.1994 p4)\n Statutes Amendment (Courts) Act 1994\n2.6.1994\n9.6.1994 (Gazette 9.6.1994 p1669)\n Statutes Amendment (Recording of Interviews) Act 1995\n10.8.1995\nSch (cll 2—4)— 21.12.1995 (Gazette 21.12.1995 p1760)\n Statutes Amendment (Courts) Act 1995\n30.11.1995\n21.12.1995 (Gazette 21.12.1995 p1759)\n Statutes Amendment (Courts Administration Staff) Act 1995\n30.11.1995\n14.12.1995 (Gazette 14.12.1995 p1641)\n Statutes Amendment (Mediation, Arbitration and Referral) Act 1996\n27.6.1996\n30.9.1996 (Gazette 29.8.1996 p808)\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 1996\n15.8.1996\nPt 17 (ss 34—36)—17.10.1996 (Gazette 17.10.1996 p1361)\n Supreme Court (Rules of Court) Amendment Act 1999\n11.3.1999\n23.4.1999 (Gazette 22.4.1999 p2171)\n Financial Sector Reform (South Australia) Act 1999\n17.6.1999\nSch (item 57)—1.7.1999 being the date specified under s 3(16) of the Financial Sector Reform (Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1999 of the Commonwealth as the transfer date for the purposes of that Act: s 2\n Statutes Amendment (Magistrates Court Appeals) Act 1999\n18.11.1999\nPt 3 (s 6)—3.1.2000 (Gazette 9.12.1999 p3114)\n Statutes Amendment (Courts and Judicial Administration) Act 2001\n6.12.2001\nPt 14 (s 32)—13.1.2002 (Gazette 10.1.2002 p4)\n Statutes Amendment (Structured Settlements) Act 2002\n5.9.2002\nPt 4 (s 6)—1.12.2002 (Gazette 7.11.2002 p4043)\n Statute Law Revision Act 2003\n23.10.2003\nSch 1—24.11.2003 (Gazette 13.11.2003 p4048)\n Statutes Amendment (Courts) Act 2004\n8.7.2004\nPt 9 (s 27)—1.9.2004 (Gazette 26.8.2004 p3402)\n Statutes Amendment (Intervention Programs and Sentencing Procedures) Act 2005\n27.10.2005\nPt 6 (s 14)—19.12.2005 (Gazette 15.12.2005 p4326)\n Statutes Amendment (New Rules of Civil Procedure) Act 2006\n6.7.2006\nPt 2 (ss 4—15)—4.9.2006 (Gazette 17.8.2006 p2831)\n Statutes Amendment (Domestic Partners) Act 2006\n14.12.2006\nPt 86 (s 212)—1.6.2007 (Gazette 26.4.2007 p1352)\n Statutes Amendment (Evidence and Procedure) Act 2008\n17.4.2008\nPt 7 (ss 27 & 28)—23.11.2008 (Gazette 20.11.2008 p5171)\n Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009\n10.12.2009\nSch 1 (cl 34)—9.12.2011 (Gazette 20.10.2011 p4269)\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 2012\n24.5.2012\nPt 12 (s 24)—5.8.2012 (Gazette 2.8.2012 p3302)\n Statutes Amendment (Appeals) Act 2013\n28.3.2013\nPt 4 (ss 13 & 14) & Sch 1—5.5.2013 (Gazette 26.4.2013 p1185)\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 2013\nPt 13 (s 28)—18.4.2013 (Gazette 18.4.2013 p1155); s 29—9.6.2013 (Gazette 6.6.2013 p2498)\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio No 2) Act 2013\n24.10.2013\nPt 8 (ss 11—13)—17.5.2014 (Gazette 8.5.2014 p1630)\n Return to Work Act 2014\n6.11.2014\nSch 9 (cl 7)—1.7.2015 (Gazette 4.12.2014 p6610)\n Statutes Amendment (Vulnerable Witnesses) Act 2015\n6.8.2015\nPt 7 (s 32)—1.7.2016 (Gazette 23.6.2016 p2618)\n Statutes Amendment and Repeal (Budget 2015) Act 2015\nPt 13 (s 54)—26.11.2015: s 2(1)\n Statutes Amendment (Judicial Registrars) Act 2017\n11.4.2017\nPt 5 (ss 32—42)—23.5.2017 (Gazette 23.5.2017 p1725)\n Statutes Amendment (Registered Relationships) Act 2017\n26.4.2017\nPt 14 (s 22)—1.8.2017 (Gazette 1.8.2017 p3039)\n Summary Procedure (Indictable Offences) Amendment Act 2017\n14.6.2017\nSch 2 (cll 32, 33 & 41)—5.3.2018 (Gazette 12.12.2017 p4961)\n Statutes Amendment (Court Fees) Act 2017\n28.11.2017\nPt 5 (s 7)—5.3.2018 (Gazette 23.1.2018 p282)\n Statutes Amendment (Sentencing) Act 2017\n28.11.2017\nPt 21 (s 32)—30.4.2018 (Gazette 6.2.2018 p612)\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) (No 2) Act 2019\nPt 16 (s 24)—19.9.2019: s 2(1)\n Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) Amendment Act 2019\n19.12.2019\nPt 2 (ss 4 to 20) & Sch 1 (cl 89)—1.1.2021 (Gazette 10.12.2020 p5638)\n Statutes Amendment (Bail Authorities) Act 2020\n11.6.2020\nPt 5 (s 12)—1.1.2021 (Gazette 17.12.2020 p5744)\n Succession Act 2023\n25.10.2023\nSch 2 (cl 11)—1.1.2025 (Gazette 27.6.2024 p1894)\n Supreme Court (Distribution of Business) Amendment Act 2024\n13.6.2024\n30.8.2024 (Gazette 29.8.2024 p2996)\n Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 2024\n27.6.2024\nPt 8 (ss 35 to 51)—26.8.2024 (Gazette 22.8.2024 p2871)\nStatutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio and Other Justice Measures) Act 2025\n12.3.2025\nPt 12 (s 21)—26.5.2025 (Gazette 22.5.2025 p1243)\nProvisions amended since 3 February 1976\n\t•\tLegislative history prior to 3 February 1976 appears in marginal notes and footnotes included in the consolidation of this Act contained in Volume 10 of The Public General Acts of South Australia 1837-1975 at page 718.\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nPt A1\nheading inserted by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ns 1\namended by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ns 2\namended by 34/1981 s 5\n\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\ns 5\n\ns 5(1)\ns 5 redesignated as s 5(1) by 34/1981 s 6(e)\nAssociate Justice\ninserted by 23/2024 s 35(1)\nCourt of Appeal\ninserted by 45/2019 s 4(1)\nevidentiary material\ninserted by 84/1995 s 19\nFull Court\namended by 9/2013 s 13\n\namended by 47/2013 s 11\n\namended by 18/2017 Sch 2 cl 32\n\ndeleted by 45/2019 s 4(2)\njudge\namended by 45/2019 s 4(3)\njudicial registrar\ninserted by 10/2017 s 32(1)\njurisdiction\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 6(a)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 35(2)\nmaster\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 6(b)\n\ndeleted by 23/2024 s 35(3)\npetitioner\ndeleted by 17/2006 s 4(1)\nplaintiff\nsubstituted by 17/2006 s 4(2)\npleading\namended by 17/2006 s 4(3)\nPresident\ninserted by 45/2019 s 4(4)\nregistrar\ninserted by 34/1981 s 6(c)\n\namended by 10/2017 s 32(2)\nsuitors' funds\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 6(d)\ns 5(2)\ninserted by 34/1981 s 6(e)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 35(4), (5)\nPt 1\n\ns 6A\ninserted by 45/2019 s 5\ns 7\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 7\ns 7(1)\nsubstituted by 10/2017 s 33(1)\n\nsubstituted by 45/2019 s 6\n\ns 7(1a)\ninserted by 45/2019 s 6\n\ns 7(2)\nsubstituted by 10/2017 s 33(2)\n\ns 7(4)\ninserted by 69/1991 s 9(a)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 36(2)\ns 8\n\namended by 23/2024 s 37(1)\ns 8(1a)\ninserted by 45/2019 s 7\ns 8(3)\ninserted by 34/1981 s 8\n\namended by 23/2024 s 37(2)\ns 8(4)\ninserted by 95/1988 Sch 1\n\namended by 23/2024 s 37(3)\ns 9\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 9\ns 9(1)\namended by 45/2019 s 8\ns 9(2)\namended by 23/2024 s 38(1)\ns 9(3)\namended by 23/2024 s 38(2)\ns 9A\ninserted by 67/1996 s 34\ns 9B\ninserted by 45/2019 s 9\ns 10\nsubstituted by 11/2013 s 28\n\nsubstituted by 45/2019 s 10\ns 11\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 10\namended by 23/2024 s 39(1)\ns 11(1)\nsubstituted by 70/1985 s 3(a)\n\namended by 45/2019 s 11(1)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 39(2), (3)\ns 11(1a)\ninserted by 70/1985 s 3(a)\n\nsubstituted by 95/1988 Sch 1\n\namended by 45/2019 s 11(2)\n\ns 11(1b)\ninserted by 95/1988 Sch 1\ns 11(2)\namended by 23/2024 s 39(2), (3)\ns 11(3)\ns 11(4)\ndeleted by 70/1985 s 3(b)\ns 11(5)\ns 11(6)\ninserted by 70/1985 s 3(c)\n\nsubstituted by 45/2019 s 11(3)\ns 12\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 11\n\nsubstituted by 92/1982 s 3(1)\n28.10.1982\n\namended by 59/1985 s 21\n13.6.1985\n\nsubstituted by 95/1988 Sch 1\namended by 23/2024 s 40(1)\ns 12(1)\namended by 45/2019 s 12\ns 12(2)\namended by 23/2024 s 40(2)\ns 12(3)\namended by 23/2024 s 40(3)\ns 12(4)\namended by 23/2024 s 40(4)\ns 13A\namended by 53/1980 s 2\n\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 12\namended by 23/2024 s 41(1)\ns 13A(1)\namended by 23/2024 s 41(2)\ns 13A(3)\namended by 23/2024 s 41(2)\ns 13B\ninserted by 34/1981 s 12\n\ndeleted by 75/1993 s 27\n1.1.1994\n\ninserted by 43/1994 s 22\n9.6.1994\nHeading preceding s 13H\ns 13H\n\ns 13H(1)\n\ns 13H(2)\namended by 82/1982 s 2(b), (c)\n\ns 13H(3)\n\ns 13H(4)\n\ns 13H(4a)\ns 13H(4) second sentence amended by 82/1982 s 2(a)\n\ns 13H(4) second sentence redesignated as s 13H(4a) by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\n\ns 13H(4b)\ns 13H(4) third sentence amended and redesignated as s 13H(4b) by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ns 13H(4c)\ns 13H(4) fourth sentence amended and redesignated as s 13H(4c) by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ndependants\ndomestic partner\ninserted by 43/2006 s 212(1)\n\nsubstituted by 13/2017 s 22(1)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 42(1), (2)\nmembers of the family\namended by 43/2006 s 212(2)\nregistered relationship\ninserted by 13/2017 s 22(2)\nspouse\ninserted by 43/2006 s 213(3)\ns 13H(5)\n\ns 13H(6)\ninserted by 82/1982 s 2(d)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 42(3)\nss 13I and 13J\ninserted by 10/2017 s 34\ns 14\namended by 34/1981 s 13\n\nsubstituted by 10/2017 s 35\n\namended by 23/2024 s 43\ns 15\n\ns 15(1)\namended by 34/1981 s 14\nPt 2\n\nPt 2 Div 1\n\nheading substituted by 45/2019 s 13\ns 17\n\ns 17(2)\namended by 45/2019 s 14(1)\ns 17(3)\ninserted by 45/2019 s 14(2)\ns 18\nsubstituted by 30/2023 Sch 2 cl 11\n1.1.2025\nPt 2 Div 1A\ninserted by 45/2019 s 15\nPt 2 Div 2\ns 21\namended by 17/2006 s 5\ns 22\namended by 17/2006 s 6\ns 23\n\ns 23(1)\namended by 17/2006 s 7\nPt 2 Div 3\ns 30BA\ninserted by 16/2002 s 6\n1.12.2002\ns 30C\n\ns 30C(2)\nsubstituted by 62/1993 s 4\n28.10.1993\ns 33\ndeleted by 67/1978 s 3\ns 35\ndeleted by 69/1991 s 9(b)\n\ninserted by 43/1994 s 23\n9.6.1994\ns 37\ndeleted by 56/1984 s 8\n1.7.1984\ns 39\nsubstituted by 80/1987 s 2\n9.11.1987\ns 39(1)\namended by 84/1995 s 20\n\namended by 17/2006 s 8\ns 39(2)\namended by 23/2004 s 27(1)\ns 39(6)\nsubstituted by 23/2004 s 27(2)\nprescribed court\namended by 16/2014 Sch 9 cl 7\n1.7.2015\ns 40\n\ns 40(2)\ninserted by 69/1991 s 9(c)\nPt 3\n\ns 45\nsubstituted by 67/1996 s 35\ns 45(3)\namended by 45/2019 s 16(1)\ns 45(3a)\ninserted by 45/2019 s 16(2)\ns 46\nsubstituted by 67/1996 s 35\nss 46A and 46B\ninserted by 67/1996 s 35\ns 47\namended by 34/1981 s 15\n\nsubstituted by 45/2019 s 17\ns 47(1)\nsubstituted by 19/2024 s 3(1)\ns 47(1a) and (1b)\ninserted by 19/2024 s 3(1)\ns 47(2)\ns 47(3)\ns 47(4)\ns 48 before substitution by 45/2019\namended by 34/1981 s 16\n\namended and redesignated as subsections, paragraphs and subparagraphs by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ns 48(2)\namended by 17/2006 s 9(1), (2)\n\namended by 10/2017 s 36\ns 48(3) and (4)\ninserted by 9/2013 s 14\ns 48\nsubstituted by 45/2019 s 17\namended by 23/2024 s 44(1)\ns 48(2)\namended by 23/2024 s 44(2)\ns 48A\ninserted by 10/2017 s 37\ns 49\n\ns 49(1)\nsubstituted by 17/2006 s 10\n\namended by 10/2017 s 38\n\namended by 45/2019 s 18\n\namended by 23/2024 s 45\ns 50 before substitution by 17/2006\n\ns 50(1)\ns 50 redesignated as s 50(1) by 34/1981 s 17\n\ncontents commencing \"Provided that\" amended by 66/1999 s 6\n3.1.2000\ns 50(1a)\ns 50(1) contents commencing \"Provided that\" amended and redesignated as s 50(1a) by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ns 50(2)\ninserted by 34/1981 s 17\ns 50\nsubstituted by 17/2006 s 11\ns 50(1)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 46\ns 50(2)\namended by 10/2017 s 39(1)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 46\ns 50(2a)\ninserted by 10/2017 s 39(2)\ns 50(5)\ns 51\ndeleted by 17/2006 s 12\nHeading preceding s 52\nss 52—53A\ns 54\namended by 6/1985 s 8(a)\n\nss 55—57\ns 59\namended by 6/1985 s 8(b), (c)\n\ns 60\ns 61\ndeleted by 6/1985 s 8(d)\ns 62\nPt 3A before deletion by 45/2019\n\ns 62E\n\ns 62E(1)\namended by 17/2006 s 13\ns 62H\n\ns 62H(3) and (3a)\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 18\ns 62H(3b)\ninserted by 34/1981 s 18\ns 62H(5)\nsubstituted by 21/1994 s 29\ns 62H(6)\ndeleted by 21/1994 s 29\nPt 3A\ndeleted by 45/2019 s 20\nPt 4\n\nHeading preceding s 65\n\ns 65\ns 65(1)\namended by 17/2012 s 24\n5.8.2012\n\namended by 10/2017 s 40(1)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 47\ns 65(5)\namended by 10/2017 s 40(2)\n\namended by 23/2024 s 47\nss 66 and 67\ns 68\nsubstituted by 102/1986 s 3(1) (Sch)\n9.7.1987\n\ndeleted by 46/1996 s 10\nss 69 and 70\ndeleted by 46/1996 s 10\nHeading preceding s 71\nHeading preceding s 72\ns 72\n\ns 72(1)\namended by 34/1981 s 19\n\namended by 2/1983 s 2\n\namended by 69/1991 s 9(d)\n\namended by 46/1996 s 11\n\namended by 6/1999 s 3\n23.4.1999\n\namended by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\n\namended by 17/2006 s 14\n\namended by 47/2013 s 12(1), (2)\n\namended by 10/2017 s 41(1)—(3)\n\namended by 15/2020 s 12\n\namended by 23/2024 s 48(1), (2)\ns 72(4)\nsubstituted by 21/1994 s 30\nPt 6\nheading substituted by 34/1981 s 20\nHeading preceding s 82\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 21\n\nPt 6 Div 1\nheading inserted by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\ns 82\nsubstituted by 34/1981 s 21\ns 82(2)\namended by 69/1991 s 9(e)\ns 82(3)\nsubstituted by 84/1995 s 21\ns 82(3a)\ninserted by 84/1995 s 21\ns 83\ndeleted by 34/1981 s 21\nHeading preceding s 84\ns 84\namended by 34/1981 s 22\n\nss 85—105\nPt 6 Div 2\ns 106\namended by 34/1981 s 23\n\nsubstituted by 85/1995 s 15\nPt 6 Div 3\ns 109\namended by 34/1981 s 24\n\nsubstituted by 85/1995 s 16\ns 110A\n\ns 110A(1)\ninserted by 69/1991 s 9(f)\n\namended by 85/1995 s 17(a)\n\n(c) deleted by 85/1995 s 17(a)\ns 110A(2)\nsubstituted by 85/1995 s 17(b)\ns 110B\ninserted by 69/1991 s 9(f)\nPt 7\n\ns 110C\ninserted by 10/2017 s 42\ns 110C(1)\namended by 21/2019 s 24\n\namended by 23/2024 s 49\ns 114\n\ns 114(2)\namended by 69/1991 s 9(g)\n\namended by 47/2013 s 13(1), (2)\nss 115 and 116\ndeleted by 67/1978 s 4\ns 117\n\ns 117(1)\namended by 17/2006 s 15\ns 118\ndeleted by 56/1984 s 8\n1.7.1984\n\ninserted by 84/1995 s 22\ns 118A\ndeleted 49/1991 Sch 2\n\ninserted by 84/1995 s 22\nHeading preceding s 119\ns 119\namended by 34/1981 s 25(a)\namended by 23/2024 s 50\ns 120\namended by 34/1981 s 25(b)\ns 121\n\namended by 23/2024 s 51\ns 121(2)\namended by 34/1981 s 25(c)\ns 122\n\ns 122(1)\namended by 33/1999 Sch (item 57)\n1.7.1999\ns 124\namended by 34/1981 s 25(d)\ns 125\namended by 34/1981 s 25(e)\ns 126\namended by 34/1981 s 25(f), (g)\ns 126A\ninserted by 7/2008 s 27\ns 126A(1)\namended by 16/2015 s 32(1)\ns 126A(2)\n\nperson to whom this section applies\ninserted by 16/2015 s 32(2)\nsexual offence\namended by 16/2015 s 32(3)\ns 126B\ninserted by 9/2025 s 21\n26.5.2025\ns 127\namended by 34/1981 s 25(h)\ns 128\n\ns 128(1)\namended by 34/1981 s 25(i)\ns 129\n\ns 129(1)\namended by 33/1991 s 15\n6.6.1991\ns 130\ninserted by 2/1983 s 3\ns 130(1a) and (1b)\ninserted by 50/2017 s 7(1)\ns 130(2)\nsubstituted by 69/2001 s 32(a)\n13.1.2002\ns 130(3)\ninserted by 73/1983 s 2\n\ndeleted by 69/2001 s 32(b)\n13.1.2002\ns 130(3)\ninserted by 41/2015 s 54\n\ndeleted by 50/2017 s 7(2)\ns 131\ninserted by 69/1991 s 9(h)\ns 131(1)\namended by 62/1993 s 5\n1.7.1993\n\namended by 84/1995 s 23(a)\ns 131(2)\n\namended by 49/2005 s 14\n19.12.2005\n\namended by 7/2008 s 28(1)\n\namended by 85/2009 Sch 1 cl 34\n9.12.2011\n\namended by 11/2013 s 29(1)\n\namended by 18/2017 Sch 2 cl 33\n\namended by 53/2017 s 32\n30.4.2018\ns 131(3)\namended by 65/1995 Sch cl 4(a)\n\nsubstituted by 7/2008 s 28(2)\ns 131(4)\ninserted by 65/1995 Sch cl 4(b)\n\ns 131(4a)\ninserted by 11/2013 s 29(2)\ns 131(5)\ninserted by 65/1995 Sch cl 4(b)\n\ns 131(6)\ninserted by 7/2008 s 28(3)\nSch\nheading amended by 44/2003 s 3(1) (Sch 1)\nTransitional etc provisions associated with Act or amendments\nStatutes Amendment (Courts Administration Staff) Act 1995\n20—Transitional provision\n\t(1)\tAn appointment to a non-judicial office or position made or purportedly made before the commencement of this Act in accordance with an Act that is amended by this Act will be taken to have been duly made under the statutory provisions that, as amended by this Act, provide for the making of such an appointment as if this Act had been enacted and in force at the relevant time.\nStatutes Amendment (Appeals) Act 2013, Sch 1—Transitional provision\n\tThe amendments effected by this Act apply in relation to appeals instituted after the commencement of this Act, regardless of whether the offence to which the appeal relates was committed, or allegedly committed, before or after the commencement of this Act.\nSummary Procedure (Indictable Offences) Amendment Act 2017, Sch 2 Pt 14\n41—Transitional provision\nThe amendments made by this Act apply to proceedings relating to an offence that are commenced after the commencement of this Act, regardless of when the offence occurred (and the Acts amended by this Act, as in force before the commencement of this Act, continue to apply to proceedings that were commenced before the commencement of this Act).\nSupreme Court (Court of Appeal) Amendment Act 2019, Sch 1 Pt 2—Transitional provisions etc\n89—Interpretation of Acts and instruments\nThe following provisions apply to the interpretation of Acts and instruments (whether of a legislative character or not):\n\t(a)\ta reference to the Full Court of the Supreme Court will be construed as a reference to the Court of Appeal Division of the Supreme Court;\n\t(b)\ta reference to the Land and Valuation Court will be construed as a reference to the Supreme Court.\nHistorical versions\nReprint No 1—15.1.1992\n\nReprint No 2—6.7.1992\n\nReprint No 3—1.7.1993\n\nReprint No 4—28.10.1993\n\nReprint No 5—1.1.1994\n\nReprint No 6—9.6.1994\n\nReprint No 7—7.7.1994\n\nReprint No 8—21.12.1995\n\nReprint No 9—30.9.1996\n\nReprint No 10—17.10.1996\n\nReprint No 11—23.4.1999\n\nReprint No 12—1.7.1999\n\nReprint No 13—3.1.2000\n\nReprint No 14—13.1.2002\n\nReprint No 15—1.12.2002\n\nReprint No 16—24.11.2003\n\n19.12.2005\n\n9.12.2011\n\n5.8.2012\n\n1.7.2015\n\n30.4.2018\n\n26.8.2024 (electronic only)\n\n1.1.2025\n\n","sortOrder":9}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2899},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally enacted in 1935 as a consolidation of 19th-century legislation relating to the Supreme Court, the Act has grown significantly beyond its original purpose. Major structural additions include the establishment of the Court of Appeal Division (2019/2021), the creation of judicial registrars as a new tier of judicial officers (2017), detailed alternative dispute resolution frameworks (mediation and arbitration), modern court administration provisions (including public access to records and fee waiver schemes), specific maritime jurisdiction rules (collision at sea), and structured settlement mechanisms. While still centered on the Supreme Court, the legislation now functions as comprehensive court administration law rather than a simple consolidation of procedural rules."},"complexity_factors":["Nested structure with Parts, Divisions, and sections containing up to 10+ subsections (e.g., s 30B has 10 subsections with multiple paragraphs and provisos)","15 defined terms in s 5, including archaic references to 'formerly' meaning pre-1873 English law and pre-1878 South Australian law","Extensive cross-referencing to external legislation (Constitution Act 1934, Succession Act 2023, Courts Administration Act 1993, etc.)","Complex conditional logic in appeal rights (s 50) with multiple exceptions to exceptions, including carve-outs for consent judgments, interlocutory orders, and liberty/custody matters","Dual jurisdiction administration (law and equity) requiring complex integration provisions (ss 20-28) that override common law conflicts","Detailed procedural mechanisms such as interim damage assessments (s 30B) with cascading conditions for payments, rehabilitation requirements, and post-death calculations","Interaction with delegated legislation — numerous powers 'subject to rules of court' creating a two-tier complexity where the Act cannot be understood without reference to subordinate rules","Transitional provisions and savings clauses (ss 3, 4, Schedule) preserving historical enactments and jurisdictions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does**\nThis Act establishes the **Supreme Court of South Australia** — the state's highest court — and sets out how it is structured, who can be a judge, what cases it can hear, and how it operates day-to-day.\n\n**The court's structure**\nThe Supreme Court is split into two divisions:\n*   **General Division**: Handles serious criminal trials, complex civil disputes, wills and estates (called *testamentary* matters), and family law cases.\n*   **Court of Appeal**: Hears appeals from decisions made by single judges in the General Division or from lower courts (like the District Court or Magistrates Court).\n\n**Key people**\n*   **Chief Justice**: The head of the entire court, responsible for administration.\n*   **President**: A judge who runs the Court of Appeal.\n*   **Puisne judges** (pronounced \"puny\" — meaning ordinary judges): Handle trials and appeals.\n*   **Associate Justices**: Specialist judicial officers who handle specific procedural work and also serve as District Court judges.\n*   **Judicial registrars**: Appointed lawyers who manage certain procedural matters, case management, and preliminary hearings.\n\n**What the court can do**\n*   Hear serious criminal cases and complex civil lawsuits.\n*   Administer both **law** (strict legal rights) and **equity** (fairness-based remedies) in the same case.\n*   Issue **injunctions** (court orders stopping someone from doing something) and appoint **receivers** (people who take control of assets during disputes).\n*   Make **declaratory orders** (official statements about legal rights even when no money is claimed).\n*   Order **structured settlements** (payment of compensation over time rather than lump sums) in personal injury cases.\n*   Hear appeals, subject to various permission requirements.\n\n**Who it affects**\nAnyone involved in serious legal disputes in South Australia — including litigants, lawyers, accused persons in serious criminal matters, executors of wills, and family law parties. It also governs court staff, judges' salaries and conditions, and the management of money held by the court for litigants (*suitors' funds*).\n\n**Practical operations**\n*   **Fees**: The Governor can set court fees (filing fees, etc.), though the court can reduce or waive them for people in poverty.\n*   **Records**: Sets rules for public access to court documents and transcripts, with restrictions on sensitive material.\n*   **Alternative dispute resolution**: Allows judges to refer cases to mediation (negotiated settlement with a neutral third party) or arbitration (decision by an independent person).\n*   **Priority trials**: Requires sexual offence trials involving child victims or victims with disabilities to be given priority.\n\n**Why it matters**\nThis Act is the legal foundation for South Australia's superior court system. It ensures there is a clear hierarchy from trial courts to the Court of Appeal, protects the independence of judges (fixing salaries and retirement ages), and provides the procedural framework for resolving the state's most serious legal disputes."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's scope has expanded and been reorganised since the original consolidation function. Notable scope changes include creation of a Court of Appeal division (s 19A; see amendments noted in the legislative history), statutory recognition and powers for judicial registrars (ss 13I, 13J; s 48A), express modern case‑management tools (mediation, arbitration and expert referees at ss 65–67), priority trial provisions for certain sexual offences (s 126A), and broadened delegated rule‑making and fee regulation powers (s 72, s 130). These additions move the statute from a purely consolidating framework towards active allocation of administrative duties, fee‑setting discretion and procedural devices administered through rules and regulations."},"complexity_factors":["Length and breadth of subject matter: constitutional structure, jurisdiction, procedure, officers, finance and records across many Parts and Divisions","Extensive delegation to rules of court and regulations (s 72, s 130) creating detail outside the primary statute","Numerous cross‑references and interactions with other statutes (e.g. Constitution Act 1934, Succession Act 2023, Judges' Pensions Act 1971) and amended provisions noted in the legislative history","Multiple decision‑points and actors with discretionary authority (Governor, Chief Justice, President, Attorney‑General, Remuneration Tribunal, judges collectively, registrar) (ss 9, 9A, 9B, 12(1), 82)","Detailed financial mechanisms for suitors' funds, investment and Treasurer liability that require procedural rules and administrative systems (ss 119–123, 121, 122)","Procedural complexity: mediation, arbitration, expert referees, assessors, disclosure rules, subpoenas and interim damage assessment (ss 65–67, 71, 72, 35, 30B)","Multiple appointed offices with differing qualification, term and removal rules (judges, Associate Justices, judicial registrars) (ss 8, 9, 13I–13J)","Significant amendment history and transitional provisions adding layers to interpretation and application (Legislative history and numerous amending Acts)"],"plain_english_summary":"What this law does, in plain English\n\n- Mechanically: this Act establishes and organises the Supreme Court of South Australia, sets out who sits in it, what the court can decide, how court business is run, and how court officers and court money are managed. It divides the Court into a General Division and a Court of Appeal (ss 6, 6A, 19A). It also delegates rule‑making and administrative powers to judges and to the Chief Justice, and it gives the Governor and other public officers roles in appointments and removals (ss 9, 9A, 82).\n\n- Who it affects: judges, Associate Justices and judicial registrars; court administrative staff including the registrar; litigants and their lawyers; people who deposit money or securities in court (\"suitors' funds\"); and the Treasurer and government agencies that fund or regulate court functioning (see ss 12(4), 13, 119–123, 121).\n\n- Key mechanical features\n  - Continuation and structure of the court: the Supreme Court continues as the State's superior court, comprised of a General Division and a Court of Appeal (ss 6, 6A). The Court of Appeal hears appeals and is to sit with not less than three judges unless rules allow otherwise (ss 19B, 19C, 19D).\n  - Appointments, qualifications and tenure: the Governor appoints judges and Associate Justices; minimum legal experience requirements are specified for different offices (s 9; s 8). Retirement is set at age 70 (s 13A). The Governor may appoint acting judges or acting Associate Justices for fixed terms (s 11).\n  - Pay and who bears costs: judicial salaries are fixed by the Remuneration Tribunal and are payable from State general revenue (s 12). The Act states that judges' salaries and officers' pay are in lieu of fees; fees authorised under the Act are to be paid to the Treasurer (s 13).\n  - Court powers and jurisdiction: the General Division has law and equity jurisdiction comparable to older English courts (s 17). The court has express powers to award damages, interest, declaratory relief, injunctions or mandamus by interlocutory order, and to make structured settlement orders for personal injury cases (ss 29–31, 30BA, 30C). The court may summon witnesses and require production of evidentiary material (s 35).\n  - Procedure and case management tools: the Act authorises mediation and conciliation, referral to arbitrators, calling expert referees, and use of assessors (ss 65–67, 71). It grants judges and a panel of judges power to make rules of court for practice and procedure (s 72).\n  - Delegation of non‑judicial tasks and registrar powers: the registrar is the principal administrative officer; the Chief Justice must concur in appointments or removals of some officers (ss 82(2)–(3), 109). Judicial registrars can be appointed with specified qualifications and term conditions and may exercise assigned judicial jurisdiction (ss 13I–13J, 48A).\n  - Money, investments and suitors' funds: suitors' funds vests in the registrar and are to be banked, invested, and administered under rules of court; the Treasurer is liable to make good default of the registrar if the Chief Justice certifies the default (ss 119–123, 121).\n  - Access to court records: the Act sets out what court records the public can inspect or copy and specifies categories requiring the court's permission (s 131).\n  - Fees and regulation: the Governor may prescribe court fees and the regulations may provide for flexible fee structures (including exemptions, reductions, waivers and discretion vested in court officers) and need not relate fees to actual administrative cost (s 130(1), (1a), (1b)).\n  - Special procedural rules and priorities: the court must give priority to certain sexual offence trials involving children or people with diminished capacity (s 126A). The Act provides a procedure where a judge who dies or becomes incapacitated during trial can be replaced so the hearing can be completed (s 126B).\n\nWhy the Act exists (official purpose claims and a practical test)\n\n- Officially the Act consolidates and updates laws relating to the Supreme Court and provides a single statutory framework for its constitution, jurisdiction, procedure and administration (see long title and s 1). The statutory changes recorded in the text include creating a Court of Appeal division and modernising procedural and administrative arrangements (e.g. ss 6A, 19A, 72).\n\n- Testing the official claims against trade‑offs and implementation mechanics\n  - Who pays and fiscal effect: judicial salaries and certain liabilities are borne by State revenue (s 12(4), s 121), while many court fees are directed to the Treasurer (s 13) and regulations may set flexible fee rules (s 130). Mechanically, this creates a split: operating costs of judges are a public expense; fee income may be retained by Treasury rather than being tied to court administrative costs (s 13, s 130(1a)). That structure concentrates revenue flow to the State and leaves fee‑setting discretion available to the executive in regulations (s 130(1b)).\n  - Decision‑making and discretion: the Governor appoints judges (s 9) and may act on recommendations; the Chief Justice controls court administration and influences appointments/removals (ss 9A, 82(2)). Judges collectively may make rules of court (s 72). These provisions concentrate operational decision‑making within the judicial leadership and give the executive formal appointment power, creating several distinct points where discretionary choices affect court composition and procedure (ss 9, 9A, 72, 82).\n  - Compliance burden and private behaviour: the Act authorises broad procedural devices—mediation, arbitration, expert referees, subpoenas and disclosure rules (ss 65–67, 35, 72(1)(c)). Those devices impose obligations on parties (disclosure, attendance, production of evidentiary material) and can shift costs between parties (e.g. costs of expert reports and arbitrators are initially borne equally by parties but may be reallocated by the court) (ss 66(5), 67(4)).\n  - Implementation and operational risk: the Act vests the registrar with custody of suitors' funds and makes the Treasurer liable for defaults certified by the Chief Justice (ss 119, 121). That creates a mechanism where the Chief Justice’s certification triggers public payments. It also requires rules of court for investment and handling of funds (s 122), so practical outcomes depend on rule‑making and administrative systems being in place.\n  - Access, confidentiality and publication trade‑offs: the Act generally opens proceedings to the public (s 46A) and provides public access to many records (s 131(1)), but reserves the court a gatekeeping role for sensitive categories (s 131(2)–(3)). The mechanism is judicial permission and conditions, so access is balanced by case‑by‑case discretion.\n\nPractical incentives and likely behavioural effects (mechanisms, not judgments)\n\n- Litigants and lawyers face increased procedural expectations (disclosure, mediation/referral, possible interim payments on account of damages) which can reallocate time and money before trial (ss 30B, 65, 72(1)(c)).\n- The Executive (Governor, Treasurer, Attorney‑General) retains appointment and fiscal levers (ss 9, 121), giving public officeholders formal leverage over judicial staffing and budgetary exposure.\n- Judicial leadership (Chief Justice, President) controls court administration, distribution of business and, through rules, the detailed shape of practice (ss 9A, 9B, 47, 72). That concentrates operational choice within the court’s senior judges.\n- Fee regulation that is not tied to administrative cost (s 130(1a)) allows flexible fee structures and exemptions; the mechanism here is regulation with discretionary elements (s 130(1b)). This can change the private cost of access to the court without a corresponding statutory requirement to link fee levels to cost.\n\nKey sections for quick reference\n- Court structure and jurisdiction: ss 6, 6A, 17, 19A–19D.\n- Appointments, qualifications, tenure and remuneration: ss 8–13, 13A, 13I–13J.\n- Procedural powers and case management: ss 29–31, 35, 65–67, 72.\n- Registrar, suitors' funds and Treasurer liability: ss 82, 119–123, 121.\n- Fees and fee regulation: s 130.\n- Public access to records: s 131.\n- Special priorities and continuity mechanisms: ss 126A, 126B.\n\nBottom line (mechanical summary): the Act sets out who runs the Supreme Court, what the Court can decide, the procedural tools judges may use, how court officers and funds are managed, and how fees and public access are regulated. The practical effects depend heavily on delegated rules, judicial administration choices, and regulation by the Governor/Treasurer (see ss 72, 82, 130, 121)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as no legislative content was retrieved. The page returned was a 'Page Not Found' error, not the text of the Supreme Court Act 1935 (SA)."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative text was returned — only a website error page","Cannot assess complexity without actual content","Score of 1 reflects absence of analysable material, not simplicity of the underlying Act"],"plain_english_summary":"**No legislative content could be retrieved.**\n\nThe link provided did not return the actual text of the *Supreme Court Act 1935* (SA). Instead, it returned a **'Page Not Found'** error from the South Australian legislation website, likely due to a broken or outdated hyperlink following a website update in March 2026.\n\n**What this means for you:** No meaningful legal analysis can be provided without access to the actual legislation. If you need information about the *Supreme Court Act 1935* (SA), try:\n- Visiting [www.legislation.sa.gov.au](https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au) and searching directly for the Act\n- Updating any saved bookmarks created before 24 March 2026\n- Contacting the Office of Parliamentary Counsel at OPCWeb@sa.gov.au"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/supreme-court-act-1935","history":"/api/acts/supreme-court-act-1935/history","analysis":"/api/acts/supreme-court-act-1935/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/supreme-court-act-1935/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/supreme-court-act-1935/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/supreme-court-act-1935/documents"}}