NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell and South Australian Chief Justice Chris Kourakis have been awarded one of Australia’s highest civilian honours, being appointed companions of the Order of Australia.
Two of the nation’s chief justices – NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell and South Australian Chief Justice Chris Kourakis – have been named as companions (AC) of the Order of Australia during this year’s Australia Day Honours List.
The pair were among an exclusive cohort of just 10 Australians recognised with the nation’s highest civilian honour this year, underscoring their extraordinary contributions to the law and the judiciary.
According to the 2026 Australia Day Honours List, CJ Bell was recognised for his exceptional service “to the judiciary and to the law, to legal education and training, and to the arts as an administrator and benefactor”.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Kourakis received the honour for his outstanding contributions to the judiciary, to the law and to legal reform, to social justice and gender equity, to the Greek community, and to education”.
Chief Justice Bell has forged a distinguished career in the law, serving as Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court and president of the Judicial Commission of NSW since 2022.
He previously led the NSW Court of Appeal and has been widely recognised for his contributions to legal education, professional development, and the judiciary, including as an adjunct professor at the University of Sydney and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.
Similarly, Chief Justice Kourakis has been instrumental in shaping South Australia’s judiciary, leading the Supreme Court of South Australia since 2012 after his appointment to the bench in 2008.
He previously held the role of Solicitor-General of South Australia and had a distinguished career at the independent bar.
Beyond the courtroom, he has been a strong advocate for legal education and professional development, including as chair of the National Judicial College and patron of the South Australian Bar Readers’ Course.
President of the Law Society of NSW, Ronan MacSweeney, congratulated Chief Justice Bell, describing the honour as a well-deserved recognition of his significant impact on the administration of justice in NSW.
“Since his appointment as Chief Justice in 2022 and before that as president of the NSW Court of Appeal, Chief Justice Bell has demonstrated exemplary leadership among his judicial colleagues and the entire NSW justice system. This award is due acknowledgement of the Chief Justice’s enormous contributions to NSW,” MacSweeney said.
“The Law Society of NSW is grateful for the positive, constructive and open relationship Chief Justice Bell has engendered between the Supreme Court and the legal profession. This has been particularly important as lawyers grapple with the growing presence of artificial intelligence in legal practice, including in the courts.”
Law Society president David Colovic praised Chief Justice Kourakis for a career defined by visionary leadership, highlighting his role in modernising South Australia’s justice system, championing access to justice, and steadfastly upholding the independence and transparency of the courts.
“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,” Colovic said.
“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.”
