Samuel James Mitchell

'Corner of Residency, Darwin 1910'. Judge Samuel James Mitchell near the flagpole, with jabiru and cat on the lawn

Samuel James Mitchell (11 May 1852 – 3 October 1926) was an Australian politician and judge. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1901 to 1910, representing the Northern Territory. He was Government Resident of the Northern Territory and the inaugural judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory from 1910 to 1912. He returned to South Australia after 1912, serving as a judge in various capacities until his death.

Early life Mitchell was born near Mount Barker in South Australia. He was educated at R. C. Mitton's Grammar school in Adelaide.

Northern Territory judge In 1910 with the transfer of the Northern Territory to Commonwealth control, he resigned to become the Government resident and the Northern Territory judge. In 1911 he helped to effect the transfer of control to the Commonwealth.

He remained Acting Administrator and Judge but resigned in 1912 after the Federal authorities would not make his appointment for life.