Domenico Petraccaro named judge of South Australia’s District Court
The Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) of South Australia has announced the appointments of Katrina Bochner and Kristopher Handshin as justices of the Supreme Court of South Australia as of 19 February 2026.
Meanwhile, Domenico Petraccaro has accepted an appointment as a judge of the District Court of South Australia and of the Environment, Resources, and Development Court of South Australia, also effective 19 February 2026.
According to the AGD’s news release, the appointments aim to address recent judicial vacancies, specifically due to Laura Stein’s elevation as the state’s chief justice and Ben Doyle’s transfer to the Court of Appeal. Petraccaro fills the vacancy arising from Handshin’s appointment.
“Each of these appointees has considerable experience and background in the law, and their appointment to the Supreme and District Courts will add a significant breadth of expertise and perspective to the judiciary,” said Kyam Maher, South Australia’s deputy premier, in a news release.
The Law Society of South Australia congratulated Bochner, Handshin, and Petraccaro on their appointments. The law society’s media release and the state department’s news release provided more information regarding the recently announced appointees.
Bochner was most recently a sitting associate justice of the SA Supreme Court.
She has mediated in the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court, and the state’s Supreme Court and District Court. The Australian Disputes Centre named her the 2021 Mediator of the Year.
In 2015, Bochner became a master of the SA Supreme Court. She served as a senior solicitor at the Crown Solicitor’s Office and as district registrar for South Australia and the Northern Territory at the Federal Court.
She has also held roles at Fisher Jeffries Barristers and Solicitors, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and the SA law society.
Bochner received admission to practise in 1990. She obtained degrees in arts and law from the University of Adelaide and an MA in medical ethics and law from King’s College, London.
“Associate Justice Bochner already plays an important role in the day-to-day work of the Supreme Court in her current role, making her ideally placed to take on this appointment,” Maher said in the state government’s news release.
David Colovic, the SA law society’s president, described Bochner’s appointment as ‘outstanding.’
“Her decade of experience in this jurisdiction makes her elevation to the Supreme Court Justice fitting,” Colovic said in the law society’s media release. “The Court will especially benefit from Judge Bochner’s expertise in dispute resolution principles and practices.”
Handshin was most recently a sitting judge of the SA District Court, which he joined in 2023.
Primarily practising in criminal law, he has appeared before the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the District Court. He worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Handshin became senior counsel in 2020 and a member of the independent bar in 2010. He obtained admission to practise in South Australia in 2005. He received a first-class honours degree from the University of Adelaide.
“Judge Handshin has been highly regarded during his time on the District Court,” Maher said. “His experience in the criminal law will be particularly valuable on the Supreme Court.”
“Judge Handshin will be a great asset to the Court, particularly in the criminal jurisdiction where he has vast experience,” Colovic said.
Petraccaro became a member of the independent bar in 2024 and senior counsel in 2018.
He served in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. As a prosecutor, he has garnered criminal law experience, focusing on appellate jurisdiction of the SA Supreme Court.
Petraccaro earned admission to practise in 1994. He graduated with an honours degree from the University of Adelaide.
“The District Court hears many of South Australia’s significant criminal matters,” Maher said. “Domenico Petraccaro’s extensive experience, particularly at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, will serve him well in this role.”
“Mr Petraccaro has appeared in many complex, high-profile criminal matters,” Colovic said. “His deep understanding of the criminal jurisdiction will be highly valued in the District Court.”
