The Court was established by Letters Patent on 2 January 1837, five days after the colony was founded.

(The title of Chief Justice was not officially introduced until the coming into force of Act No 31 of 1855-1856.)

After Sir John's death in December 1837, Henry Jickling was appointed as an acting judge.

Reports of ill health prompted Governor Henry Young to ask for the appointment of a second judge.

[4] The Court exercises both original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters.

Particular judges may be designated to sit in the probate jurisdiction or assigned case management functions in respect of long and complex trials.

(The two buildings are located across the road from each other, on the corner of Gouger Street and Victoria Square.)

The Court, consisting of a single judge, in exceptional circumstances can travel on circuit to the rural centres of Mount Gambier and Port Augusta.