When Elizabeth Bolton was appointed South Australian Chief Magistrate in 2007, she became the first woman to head a court jurisdiction in the history of South Australia.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) majoring in English Literature and then a Master of Arts degree at the University of Adelaide, Elizabeth Bolton subsequently completed a Law degree at the same university before commencing practice as a lawyer in 1985.

After periods as a prosecutor firstly with the state Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and then with the Commonwealth DPP, she was appointed as a magistrate in December 1999. She began with two years sitting in Elizabeth, where she also went on circuit to Tanunda, Clare, Peterborough and Berri. In 2004 she was appointed the regional manager at the Christies Beach Magistrates Court.

She became Chief Magistrate in 2007. This role was changed by legislation to be both Chief Magistrate and a Judge of the S.A. District Court in July 2013.

Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Bolton resigned from the position in July 2015 due to ill health.

Sources used to compile this entry: Dowdell, Andrew, 'Ill health forces first female South Australia chief magistrate Elizabeth Bolton to resign after eight years', The Advertiser, 23 July 2015, http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/ill-health-forces-first-female-south-australia-chief-magistrate-elizabeth-bolton-to-resign-after-eight-years/story-fni6uo1m-1227453608735; Information provided by Elizabeth Bolton, May 2015.