chris kourakis

Thursday, April 02

SA courts brace for “unprecedented” budget cut

EXCLUSIVE | Chief Justice Chris Kourakis is expecting an “unprecedented” cut to courts funding in the upcoming state budget, warning it would result in “significant” cuts to services.

Govt to reinstate QCs, spurning Supreme Court judges

EXCLUSIVE | Cabinet has agreed to reinstate the title “QC” for the state’s most distinguished lawyers, despite the Chief Justice warning it would undermine the Supreme Court’s independence and potentially breach the state’s constitution.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Chris Kourakis. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

'We cannot be co-opted': Judges savage Bar's push for return of the QC

EXCLUSIVE | The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has warned that re-establishing the title of “QC” would undermine the court’s independence and that judges would refuse to be part of it, in an excoriating letter to Vickie Chapman obtained by InDaily.

Do our courts need a hero?

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis says the judicial system suffers from an “image problem”, in part because nobody is charged with publicly defending its credibility, while governments are more inclined to divert much-needed funds into “headline” projects.

LABOR PAIN: Boundaries appeal rejected, party may be liable for Libs' costs

The South Australian Labor Party has been left reeling from the wholesale rejection of its Supreme Court appeal against a radical redraw of the state’s electoral map that could help hand the Liberal Opposition victory at next year’s state election.

"I'm entitled to rest on court's judgement": Rau defends 'awkward' career move

UPDATED: Attorney-General John Rau says he intends to continue his political career – and is refusing to renounce his new Senior Counsel title – despite confirmation his application to the Supreme Court was submitted late.

Better pay, better lawyers: Chief Justice on SA's tardy trials

The state’s top judge has suggested criminal lawyers should be better paid as part of a system-wide effort to reduce the divisive trial backlog in the district court.