Chief Justice Chris Kourakis stressed need for continuing professional development
Chris Kourakis, South Australia’s chief justice, has expressed support for the recommendation in the Report of the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence to implement a mandatory judicial education and training framework.
“Judges do not magically gain all the general knowledge, understanding and wisdom, which is needed to serve the people of this State well, the moment they are appointed,” Kourakis said in a statement.
Kourakis emphasised the need for judges to engage in quality education, training, and continuing professional development – collaboratively created by experts and judge-educators – to adapt to the swiftly evolving world and make better judicial decisions without jeopardising judicial independence.
Like the state’s chief justice, the Law Society of South Australia welcomed the publication of the Royal Commission report, including its recommendations targeting education, prevention, and early intervention.
In a media release, the law society noted that the report’s suggestions included comprehensive domestic, family, and sexual violence training for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, court staff, judicial officers, and police officers.
The law society supported the recommendations for:
The law society noted the importance of understanding the issue of coercive control in considering the issuance of intervention orders for non-physical coercive control behaviours and navigating the contemplated legislative changes seeking to criminalise coercive control.
The law society commended Natasha Stott Despoja, commissioner, for her broad and deep investigation and the victim-survivors for their courageous efforts to share their experiences and bring attention to the issues relevant to the report.
The law society also acknowledged the perpetrators who discussed their experiences of using violence and had taken steps to improve their behaviours.
The law society noted that the investigation also canvassed insights from lawyers, police, Indigenous communities, crisis centres, support groups, doctors, counsellors, children, and people with disabilities.
The law society praised the report’s comprehensive analysis and recommendations regarding Indigenous communities, including the suggested implementation of Aboriginal-led domestic violence support services, culturally safe justice system practices, and culturally appropriate healing programs.
In its media release, the law society stressed that the issues discussed in the report are pervasive and complex.
“This problem will only be fixed when those prone to violence take accountability for their actions and make a genuine commitment to change,” the law society said. “This is a critical step in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.”
The law society expects to respond in detail to the report’s recommendations.
