Law Society congratulates Chief Justice Kourakis on Australia Day Honour
26 January 2026
The Law Society of South Australia congratulates The Honourable Chief Justice Chris Kourakis on being made a Companion of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Honours.
Chief Justice Kourakis AC was honoured for his service to the judiciary, to the law and to legal reform, to social justice and gender equity, to the Greek community, and to education.
Law Society President David Colovic said: “Chief Justice Kourakis AC has shown great leadership throughout his career in the law and is most deserving of this honour.”
“His Honour has led the modernisation of the justice system in South Australia with an unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.”
“His Honour has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving access to justice, enhancing the quality of legal services, advancing diversity in the legal profession, and ensuring the courts operate with independence and transparency.”
“I look forward to celebrating his Honour’s contribution to the law at an upcoming ceremony to mark his retirement from the bench.”
His Honour grew up in Port Lincoln as the son of Greek migrants. He graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1981 and was admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia the following year.
After several years at the Legal Services Commission and private practice, his Honour joined the bar in 1990 and took silk in 1997.
His Honour served as Solicitor-General of South Australia from 2003–08, before being appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
His Honour first became a Member of the Law Society in 1982. He was elected to the Law Society’s Council in 1993 and then to its Executive in 1998, serving until his 2003 appointment as Solicitor-General. His Honour was the Law Society’s President in 2001-02.
His Honour was Chair of the National Judicial College from 2019-24.
Since 2014, His Honour has served as the National Patron of the Hellenic Lawyers Association, and from 2014-18 served as Chairperson of the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity. He is also a Patron of the Foundation for Hellenic Studies (SA) and was Patron of the Australian Centre for Hellenic Language and Culture from 2011-2019.
His Honour’s contribution to the law was recognised with the conferral of a Doctor of Laws honoris causa by Flinders University in 2015.
His Honour’s resignation as Chief Justice was announced on 16 December 2025, to take effect from 19 February 2026.