Chief Justice of South Australia, Chris Kourakis has announced that the Heads of Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, District Court, Magistrates Court, Coroners Court and Youth Court have all acted to improve the safety of their workplaces
Chief Justice Kourakis (pictured) said all the senior officers of the Court Administration Authority of SA endorsed and adopted the Judicial Officer Appropriate Workplace Conduct Policy, and were committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive workplace for all.
“We will not tolerate inappropriate workplace conduct by judicial officers,” Chief Justice Kourakis said.
“The authority assumed that taking judicial office comes with a responsibility to lead by example in court, in our workplaces and in the community.”
He said the policy, adopted by resolution of the judicial officers of every court, was a continuing commitment to maintain the standards of behaviour in connection with our workplace.
Justice Kourakis said the policy states that inappropriate conduct might occur in any workplace but was more likely to occur, and was more likely to have significant consequences, in workplaces where there were substantial power differences.
“Judicial officers will report the failures of others whose conduct in the workplace is on their observation inappropriate, in accordance with procedures promulgated in connection with this policy,” the policy says.
Inappropriate workplace conduct could include bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and victimisation, Justice Kourakis said.
