Chris Kourakis

Christopher John Kourakis (born 17 June 1958) is a Greek Australian lawyer and judge. He was Chief Justice of South Australia from 2012 until February 2026. In August 2026 he was appointed commissioner of the Victorian royal commission into corruption in the construction industry.

Early life and education Christopher John Kourakis was born on 17 June 1958. He grew up in Port Lincoln as one of ten children of Greek migrants Evangelos and Roxani Kourakis.

He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a bachelor of laws in 1981.

When the South Australian Government decided to cease appointing Queen's Counsel and the Chief Justice of South Australia began appointing Senior Counsel, Kourakis resigned his commission as Queen's Counsel to become Senior Counsel instead.

In 2008, Kourakis was appointed to the Supreme Court of South Australia and in 2012, he was elevated to the position of Chief Justice.

In August 2022, he overturned a decision by the former Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, to allow for exploratory mining to go ahead on Lake Torrens, citing concerns that Kelaray's heritage plan and procedures would "substantially detract" from the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988. In May 2023, the Premier's decision was reinstated by the Court of Appeal of South Australia.

In February 2023, together with Attorney-General of South Australia Kyam Maher, Kourakis announced several new appointments to the SA judicial system. Among the appointees were the first two Aboriginal Australians to be appointed to the Magistrates Court of South Australia, Lana Chester and Natalie Brown.

On 11 November 2025 he submitted his resignation to the Governor of South Australia, announcing his intention to retire effective on 19 February 2026. He is to be succeeded by Laura Stein, who will be the first woman in the role.

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for "eminent service to the judiciary, to the law and to legal reform, to social justice and gender equity, to the Greek community, and to education".

Victorian construction royal commission On 20 August 2026, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll named Kourakis to head a royal commission into corruption in Victoria's major public infrastructure construction projects. It has a $50 million budget and reports by 20 August 2027.

Other activities Kourakis was elected president of the Law Society of South Australia in 2001.