Law Society welcomes Supreme and District Court appointments
29 January 2026
The Law Society congratulates The Honourable Associate Justice Katrina Bochner and The Honourable Judge Kristopher Handshin on their appointments as Justices of the Supreme Court, effective from 19 February 2026.
The Law Society also congratulates Domenico Petraccaro on his appointment as Judge of the District Court of South Australia and Judge of the Environment, Resources and Development Court of South Australia, effective from 19 February 2026.
Judge Bochner holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Medical Ethics and Law from King’s College, London.
Judge Bochner was admitted to practice in 1990 and has held roles in private practice, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the Law Society, and the Crown Solicitor’s Office.
Judge Bochner served as District Registrar for SA and the NT at the Federal Court before being appointed a Master of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2015.
Judge Bochner is an experienced mediator, having mediated extensively in the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court, the Supreme Court and the District Court. In 2022, she was named the 2021 Mediator of the Year by the Australian Disputes Centre.
Law Society President David Colovic said: “Judge Bochner is an outstanding appointment to the Supreme Court. Her decade of experience in this jurisdiction makes her elevation to the Supreme Court Justice fitting. The Court will especially benefit from Judge Bochner’s expertise in dispute resolution principles and practices.”
Judge Handshin has First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide and was admitted to practice in South Australia in 2005.
Judge Handshin joined the Independent Bar in 2010, primarily practising in criminal law, where he appeared in the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Supreme Court and the District Court.
Judge Handshin was appointed Senior Counsel in 2020, and as a Judge of the District Court in 2023.
Mr Colovic said: “Judge Handshin will be a great asset to the Court, particularly in the criminal jurisdiction where he has vast experience.”
Mr Petraccaro was admitted to practice in 1994 and has an Honours Degree from the University of Adelaide. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2018.
He has specialised in criminal law, predominantly as a prosecutor, with an emphasis in the appellate jurisdictions of the Supreme Court.
Mr Colovic said: “Mr Petraccaro has appeared in many complex, high-profile criminal matters. His deep understanding of the criminal jurisdiction will be highly valued in the District Court.”