Research Interests
Criminal Law and Procedure Law Lawyering and the Legal Profession Environmental crimeMs Kellie Toole
Senior Lecturer
School of Law
College of Business and Law
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
I joined the permanent staff of the Adelaide Law School as a full-time academic in 2012 after having practiced as a criminal defence lawyer. I teach in: Evidence Law, Criminal Law and Military Disciplinary Law.
I am currently seconded to the Wildlife Crime Research Hub as a postdoctoral researcher (75% load) and remain with the Adelaide Law School as a senior lecturer (25% load).
My research interests have always been at the intersection of criminal law and social justice issues, and have evolved into a focus on environmental crime and environmental justice (especially wildife crime). I am involved in collaborations with lawyers, scientists and government practitioners on projects to improve environmental crime laws and their enforcement to increase environmental protection through community education and legal compliance.Feel free to give me a call or drop me an email any time if you would like to talk about any of my research interests.
I joined the permanent staff of the Adelaide Law School as a full-time academic in 2012 after having practiced as a criminal defence lawyer. I teach in: Evidence Law, Criminal Law and Military Disciplinary Law.
I am currently seconded to the Wildlife Crime Research Hub as a postdoctoral researcher (75% load) and remain with the Adelaide Law School as a senior lecturer (25% load).
My research interests have always been at the intersection of criminal law and social justice issues, and have evolved into a focus on environmental crime and environmental justice (especially wildife crime). I am involved in collaborations with lawyers, scientists and government practitioners on projects to improve environmental crime laws and their enforcement to increase environmental protection through community education and legal compliance.
Feel free to give me a call or drop me an email any time if you would like to talk about any of my research interests.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Adelaide |
| 2024 - ongoing | Senior Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2014 - 2023 | Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2011 - 2013 | Associate Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2007 - 2009 | Criminal defence lawyer | Legal Services Commission |
| 2006 - 2007 | Researcher | Parliamentary Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse |
| 2006 - ongoing | Volunteer Paralegal (Death Penalty) | Gulf Region Advocacy Centre (GRACE) Houston TX |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| University of Adelaide | Australia | MA (History) | |
| Flinders University | Australia | LLB and LP | |
| University of Adelaide | Australia | BA (Hons) |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrister and Solicitor | Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia | Australia |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Onley, I. R., Alber, J., Smith, K. A. F., Toole, K., Chadwick, D. L., Williams, C., & Cassey, P. (2026). Crime and punishment in the outback: A review of extractive and destructive green crime cases in Australia's criminal justice system. Conservation Science and Practice, 8(2), 8 pages. |
| 2026 | Wadham, B., Halsey, M., Hordacre, A. L., Waddell, E., Toole, K., Collins, P., & Andrewartha, L. (2026). Adversity and stability: Risk factors across the life course of incarcerated veterans in Australia. Journal of Criminology, 17 pages. Scopus1 WoS1 |
| 2026 | Wadham, B., Halsey, M., Hordacre, A. L., Toole, K., Waddell, E., Collins, P., & Andrewartha, L. (2026). Forgotten, Invisible, Dangerous: The Experiences of Incarcerated Veterans in Australia. Corrections Policy Practice and Research, 1-13. |
| 2025 | Toole, K. E. (2025). BESTIALITY: CHALLENGING THE BOUNDARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN CRIMINAL LAW. Melbourne University Law Review, 49(1), 130-177. |
| 2025 | Toole, K., McCormack, P., van Uhm, D., Beillevert, M., Williams, C., & Cassey, P. (2025). Using the criminal law to protect the environment: Possibilities and problems. People and Nature, 7(11), 3057-3066. |
| 2024 | Westlake, B., Brewer, R., Toole, K., Daly, T., Swearingen, T., Fletcher, S., . . . Logos, K. (2024). Benefits and risks of implementing cloud-based technology for child sexual abuse investigations in Australia. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, (699), 1-18. |
| 2023 | Toole, K., & Waddell, E. (2023). Veteran perceptions of pathways to offending: ex-Australian Defence Force personnel in South Australian prisons. Griffith Law Review, 32(1), 1-29. Scopus2 WoS2 |
| 2020 | Toole, K. L., & Waddell, E. (2020). Too Many Veterans in South Australian Prisons. The Last Post, 21, 44. |
| 2019 | Toole, K. L. (2019). Building a Legal Research and Writing Community across Hemispheres. Association of American Law Schools Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research Bulletin, Summer, 25-27. |
| 2018 | Toole, K. (2018). Do Criminals Need a 'Criminal Mind'?. Legaldate, 30(2), 3-6. |
| 2018 | Toole, K. L., & Plater, D. (2018). Derivative Liability and South Australia's New Firearms Law: "Inherently Dangerous" or the "Best Gun Laws in the Country"?. Criminal Law Journal, 42(4), 261-269. |
| 2017 | Toole, K. (2017). Trial by jury - Essential protection or relic of the past?. Legaldate, 29(2), 8-12. |
| 2016 | Toole, K., & Plater, D. (2016). Suppliers of illegal firearms responsible for their future use. Alternative Law Journal, 41(2), 139. |
| 2016 | Toole, K. L. (2016). Looking behind jury verdicts NH, Jakaj, Zefi and Stakaj v the South Australian Director of Public Prosecutions. Alternative Law Journal, 41(4), 288. |
| 2016 | Larkin, D., Boehringer, G., Arnold, B. B., McLoughlin, K., Roper, I., Page, S., . . . Castan, S. (2016). Downunderallover: Developments around the country. Alternative Law Journal, 41(4), 285-290. |
| 2016 | Toole, K. L. (2016). SA Law Reform Institute Recommends Abolition of Religious Oaths. Alternative Law Journal, 41(1), 69. |
| 2015 | Toole, K. (2015). Marital rape: retrospectivity and the common law. Criminal Law Journal, 39(6), 286-302. |
| 2015 | Toole, K. L. (2015). South Australia: Reform of laws that discriminate on the grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity and Intersex Status. Alternative Law Journal, 40(4), 286-287. |
| 2015 | Toole, K. (2015). Reform of Laws that Discriminate on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity and Inter-sex Status. Alternative Law Journal, 40(4), 286-287. |
| 2014 | Toole, K. L., & Branson, C. (2014). Time for South Australia to adopt the Uniform Evidence Act. Law Society Bulletin. |
| 2014 | Toole, K. L. (2014). Review of mental impairment defence. Alternative Law Journal, 39(2). |
| 2014 | Toole, K. L., & Le Mire, S. (2014). From failure to hope: Lawyer regulation in South Australia. Alternative Law Journal, 39(1). |
| 2014 | Toole, K. L. (2014). The making of prosecutorial decisions in australia. Alternative Law Journal, 39(4), 268-269. Scopus1 |
| 2013 | Toole, K. (2013). South Australia and the defence of provocation. Alternative Law Journal, 38(4), 270-271. Scopus1 |
| 2013 | Toole, K. (2013). Defensive homicide on trial In Victoria. Monash University Law Review, 39(2), 473-505. |
| 2013 | Hewitt, A., & Toole, K. (2013). The practical knowledge conundrum: What practical knowledge should be included in a law school curriculum and how can it be taught?. New Zealand Universities Law Review, 25(5), 980-1022. |
| 2013 | Toole, K. L. (2013). Admission of "bad character" evidence'. Alternative Law Journal, 38(4). |
| 2013 | Toole, K. L., Giancaspro, M., & Walding, C. (2013). Students open up about mental health and well-being. Law Society Bulletin. |
| 2013 | Toole, K. L. (2013). Evidence (Identification) Bill 2012. Alternative Law Journal, 38(1). |
| 2013 | Toole, K. L. (2013). Marital Rape: High Court decision handed down. Alternative Law Journal, 37(3). |
| 2012 | Toole, K. L. (2012). Three plead guilty to bestiality offences. Alternative Law Journal, 37(4). |
| 2012 | Toole, K. (2012). Self-defence and the reasonable woman: Equality before the new Victorian law. Melbourne University Law Review, 36(1), 250-286. Scopus6 WoS10 |
| 2011 | Toole, K. (2011). Marital rape in South Australia: R v P, GA. Criminal Law Journal, 35(4), 237-251. |
| 2011 | Toole, K. L. (2011). Rape in Marriage in South Australian Law: Return to the 1960s?. Alternative Law Journal, 36(3), 194-196. |
| 2011 | Toole, K. L., & Caruso, D. (2011). Evidence (Discreditable Conduct) Amendment Act 2011 (SA). Alternative Law Journal, 36(4). |
| 2011 | Toole, K. L. (2011). Law Institute for South Australia. Alternative Law Journal, 36(1). |
| 2011 | Toole, K. (2011). Domestic Violence: Marital Rape in South Australia, a Return to the 60s?. Alternative Law Journal, 36(3), 194. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Toole, K. (2024). Prosecuting Crime in the Public Interest: How Tension between Independence and Accountability Threatens the Rule of Law in Australia. Hart Publishing. DOI |
| 2016 | Caruso, D., Buth, R., Heath, M., Leader-Elliott, I., Leader-Elliott, P., Naffine, N., . . . Toole, K. (2016). South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd Edition (2 ed.). South Australia: LexisNexis Butterworths. |
| 2014 | Caruso, D., Buth, R., Heath, M., Leader-Elliott, I., Leader-Elliott, P., Naffine, N., . . . Toole, K. (2014). South Australian criminal law: review and critique. Australia: LexisNexis Butterworths. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Stubbs, M., & Toole, K. (2024). Legal Issues Arising from Administrative Termination and Disciplinary Dismissal. In R. Creyke, D. Stephens, & P. Sutherland (Eds.), Military Law in Australia (2nd ed., pp. 122). Alexandria: Federation Press. |
| 2023 | Burdon, P., & Toole, K. (2023). Education for Citizenship and Social Justice: Students as Co-creators. In H. Gibbon, B. Golder, L. Lixinski, M. Nehme, & P. Vines (Eds.), Education for Citizenship and Social Justice: Students as Co-creators. London: Routledge. |
| 2019 | Toole, K. L. (2019). Building Career Readiness for Criminal Law Practice. In A. Diver (Ed.), Employability via Higher Education: Sustainability as Scholarship. |
| 2019 | Toole, K. (2019). Building Career Readiness for Criminal Law Practice. In A. Diver (Ed.), Employability via Higher Education: Sustainability as Scholarship (pp. 489-502). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. |
| 2019 | Toole, K. (2019). The Decision to Prosecute – The Accountability of Australian Prosecutors. In V. Colvin, & P. Stenning (Eds.), The Evolving Role of the Public Prosecutor Challenges and Innovations (1 ed., pp. 232-248). USA & UK: Routledge. DOI Scopus2 |
| 2016 | Toole, K. (2016). Introduction to Criminal Procedure. In D. caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffine, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd Edition (2 ed., pp. 455-466). LexisNexis. |
| 2016 | Toole, K. (2016). Introduction to Criminal Procedure. In D. caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffine, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd Edition (2 ed., pp. 455-466). LexisNexis. |
| 2016 | Toole, K., Caruso, D., & Grant, M. (2016). The Role of Police. In D. caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffin, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd edition (2 ed., pp. 467-512). LexisNexis. |
| 2016 | Toole, K., Caruso, D., & Grant, M. (2016). The Role of Police. In D. caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffin, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd edition (2 ed., pp. 467-512). LexisNexis. |
| 2016 | Toole, K., Caruso, D., & Grant, M. (2016). The Role of Courts. In D. caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffin, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd edition (2 ed., pp. 513-542). |
| 2016 | Toole, K., Caruso, D., & Grant, M. (2016). The Role of Courts. In D. caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffin, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure, 2nd edition (2 ed., pp. 513-542). |
| 2016 | Leader-Elliott, I. (2016). Offences of Dishonesty. In D. Caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffin, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Precedure (Second ed., pp. 107-164). NSW; Australia: LexisNexis Butterworths. |
| 2016 | Leader-Elliott, I., & Caruso, D. (2016). Intoxication. In D. Caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffin, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law and Procedure (Second ed., pp. 399-417). NSW; Australia: LexisNexis Butterworths. |
| 2016 | Plater, D., Goode, M., Langos, C., & Crawford, N. (2016). Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person. In D. Caruso, R. Buth, M. Heath, I. Leader-Elliott, P. Leader-Elliott, N. Naffine, . . . K. Toole (Eds.), South Australian Criminal Law: Review and Critique (2nd ed., pp. 0). Chatswood, NSW: Lexis Nexis. |
| 2014 | Plater, D., Caruso, D., Toole, K., Naffine, N., Buth, R., Heath, M., . . . Leader-Elliott, P. (2014). Chapter 6: Offences Against the Person. In D. Carsuo (Ed.), South Australian Criminal Law: Review and Critique. LexisNexis Butterworths. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Toole, K. L. (2016). The Decision to Prosecute: A Comparison between the Commonwealth of Australia's Military and Civilian Jurisdictions. |
| 2016 | Giancaspro, M. A., Toole, K., & Walding, C. (2016). Key Stressors and Possible Solutions: The Adelaide Law Student Experience. In N/A. College of Law, Sydney. |
| 2014 | Toole, K., Walding, C., & Giancaspro, M. A. (2014). Lex Salus – Reconciling Law and Wellbeing. In N/A. Queensland University of Technology. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Westlake, B., Brewer, R., Toole, K., Daly, T., Swearingen, T., Fletcher, S., . . . Logos, K. (2024). Benefits and Risks of Implementing Cloud-Based Technology for Child Sexual Abuse Investigations in Australia. |
| 2023 | Wadham, B., Connor, J., Toole, K., & Thomas, E. (2023). Mapping Service and Transition to Self-Harm and Suicidality: Research Paper. |
| 2023 | Wadham, B., Hordacre, A. -L., Waddell, E., Toole, K., Collins, P., & Halsey, M. (2023). Research into experiences of ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in corrective services systems in Australia. |
| 2021 | Waddell, E., Moretti, C., Wadham, B., Halsey, M., Hordacre, A. -L., Toole, K., & Collins, P. (2021). What are the risk factors for ex-serving defence force personnel to enter corrective service systems in Australia and/or other relevant jurisdictions?. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| - | Webster, A. L., & Toole, K. (n.d.). Don’t expect ‘world first’ impact statement to transform sentencing. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). SA Should Abolish Provocation. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Queensland Still Failing to Act on Medieval Murder Defence. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Only in America: Why Australia is Right not to have Grand Juries. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Plea Bargaining: Who Gets the Best Deal. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). In Plea Bargaining, Who Really Gets the Bargain. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Time to stop protecting the protectors of child sex abusers. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Time to End, Not Extend, The Legal Institution of Marriage. |
| - | Toole, K. L., & Le Mire, S. (n.d.). Parliament Responds to McGee case on 10 Year Anniversary. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Same Sex (Same Old) Marriage. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). Panic About the "Gay Panic" Defence - SA Reform to Provocation Proposed'. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). The Flip Side of Double Jeopardy - Australian First for Prisoners' Right to Appeal. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). End of the Line for Police ‘Line-ups’ in South Australia?. |
| - | Toole, K. L. (n.d.). In Australia, reconsidering ‘marital rape immunity’. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Huffer, D., Watters, F., Swearingen, T., Toole, K., & Cassey, P. (2026). Closing the border on Australia’s domestic elephant ivory trade. DOI |
2022-2023
Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Research into Experiences of Ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) Personnel in Corrective Services Systems in Australia, B Wadham, M Halsey, AL Hordacre, E Waddell, K Toole, P Collins $173,000
2021-2023
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Mapping Service and Transition to Self-Harm and Suicidality, B Wadham, J Connor, K Toole, E Thomas $130,000
I am currently in a 75% research position. My only teaching commitment in 2026 is co-ordinating the postgraduate course, Advanced Military Discipline Law - for Australian Defence Force lawyers.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Rethinking the definition of environmental harm in Australia to improve nature protection. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Marie Beillevert |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Rethinking the definition of environmental harm in Australia to improve nature protection. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Marie Beillevert |
| 2023 | Co-Supervisor | The Stories We Tell Ourselves: National Memories and Historical Narratives in International Legal Claims | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Xuan W Tay |
| 2023 | Co-Supervisor | The Stories We Tell Ourselves: National Memories and Historical Narratives in International Legal Claims | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Xuan W Tay |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 - ongoing | Editor | Alternative Law Journal | - | - |
| Date | Office Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Acting Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) | University of Adelaide | Australia |
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