1 November 2023
Courts issue a Practice Note about pronunciation of names and gender pronouns
The Honourable Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of South Australia, has today issued a Practice Note about pronunciation of names and gender pronouns.
The Supreme Court, District Court, Environment, Resources and Development Court, Magistrates Court, Youth Court and Coroners Court recognise that the correct pronunciation of names and use of the preferred gender pronoun is a matter of respect and is an important component of ensuring public confidence in the proper administration of justice.
The new Practice Note ensures that the Courts can facilitate a simple process by which legal practitioners and self-represented litigants can provide guidance and clarification to the Courts.
Legal practitioners may consider the gender pronouns of a person, including counsel, parties, witnesses, interpreters and solicitors, and provide the Court with information as to their preferred gender pronouns and titles. Self-represented litigants may also provide the Court with their preferred gender pronouns and titles.
The Practice Note takes effect from 1 November 2023.