On 11 November 2025, I submitted my resignation from the office of Chief Justice to the Governor to take effect from Thursday 19 February 2026. I have been privileged to serve the people of this State as a Justice of the Supreme Court since 2008 and as Chief Justice since 2012. All of the [...]
The Courts Administration Authority (CAA) takes the security and safety of Judiciary, staff and all court users very seriously. To enable a safe court environment for all, the State Courts Administration Council (Council) is implementing a ‘screen all’ approach to entry to our court buildings, commencing with a three-month evaluation period at the Adelaide Magistrates [...]
The Public Service Association will hold a rally on Wednesday, 26 November at 12.30pm which will impact court operations. Pre-emptive actions have been taken by each Court, so any disruption is able to be managed with minimum risk to staff, judiciary and court users. This includes rescheduling court hearings to another date where required. [...]
Supreme, District and Environment, Resources and Development Court Registry The court registry located in the Sir Samuel Way building will close at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2025 and reopen on Friday, 2 January 2026. Probate Registry The Probate Registry will close at 12.00pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2025 and reopen on Monday, 5 January [...]
19 August 2025 Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence I welcome the publication of the Report of the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. I support the recommendation that a mandatory judicial education and training framework be implemented. Judges do not magically gain all the general knowledge, understanding and wisdom, [...]
19 August 2025 The State Courts Administration Council acknowledges the release of the Report from the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence; With Courage: South Australia’s Vision Beyond Violence. This comprehensive report, spanning over 600 pages and containing 136 recommendations, reflects voices from across South Australia. The Commission has highlighted the negative experiences [...]
12 August 2025 At a hearing in the District Court today, his Honour Chief Judge Evans outlined steps that would be taken to correct an error on the court record in the matter of The King (State) v Annabel Faith Digance, Gregory John Digance (DCCRM-22-38). On 21 April 2023, a nolle prosequi was entered in [...]
7 August 2025 The Honourable Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of South Australia, today announced on behalf of the Judges of the Supreme Court the appointment of six new Senior Counsel. The appointments were made following wide consultation with judicial officers of the State, senior law officers of the State, and members of the legal profession. [...]
12 June 2025 Her Honour Judge Mary-Louise Hribal, Chief Magistrate, and State Courts Administrator, Ms Penny Croser, today released the Review of the Magistrates Court Abuse Prevention Program Report (the Review). The South Australian Magistrates Court Abuse Prevention Program (APP) is a court-mandated behaviour-change program targeted at men who have been violent towards [...]
30 May 2025 Today, I have launched a survey to the legal profession about the use of generative AI in the South Australian courts. Generative AI (‘Gen AI’) is quickly becoming an everyday feature of modern life. The opportunities that it presents to lawyers and litigants are significant, but so too are the [...]