Justice Larissa Strk

IN W E st E r N Austr A l IA

leading the Way

2016

Larissa Strk is the first woman to be appointed

Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court. 2019

Gail Sutherland is the first woman appointed

Chief Judge of the Family Court of WA.

Justice larissa strk

The first woman to be appointed Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court of Western Australia

Justice Strk was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1998, after completion of articles of clerkship at Dwyer Durack. From 2011 to 2016, Justice Strk was a Partner in the Perth Dispute Resolution Group of King & Wood Mallesons where she specialised in commercial litigation. In 2016 Justice Strk was appointed as the Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court of Western Australia – the first woman to be appointed in that role. She also performed the role of Acting Master in that time. Justice Strk was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2021.

Why did your Honour choose law?

As a student I was an avid reader and drawn to the arts. I enjoyed both writing and debating and I was encouraged by several teachers who thought that a career in law, journalism or teaching might suit me. My family had no connection to law. No doubt, mine was not an unusual experience as a child and grandchild of migrants. My family did not expect a lawyer. Their only expectations of me were that I would conduct myself honestly, that I would work hard and that I would run hard at every opportunity afforded to me. While studying, I worked part time, found work experience opportunities and later clerkships and research roles. Each experience, albeit different, firmed my resolve to be a part of this profession. What does your Honour regard as the proudest achievement of your career?

I am deeply honoured by the appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court. I acknowledge that my appointment in 2016 as the Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court afforded me an extraordinary opportunity for development and growth. I also thoroughly enjoyed my time as a partner of King & Wood Mallesons.

On reflection, apart from my family, the privilege of working with many talented junior lawyers over the years has brought me the most joy. I have always felt that the employment of a law clerk, graduate, junior lawyer or associate is something of a sacred trust. It comes with an obligation to train, mentor and encourage as, from my own experience and observation, a junior lawyer’s experience of the profession is almost wholly shaped by their early interactions with their principal and the senior members of their team. I believe that investing in junior members of the profession is no sacrifice. I have gained energy and insight from working with dynamic and enthusiastic young

lawyers, with different experiences and perspectives. In pursuing your career, what has motivated your Honour?

I suspect that I am motivated by my enjoyment of the law, gratitude and obligation in equal measure. I am fortunate in being able to do something I enjoy every day and to be paid for it. That is not to say that I haven’t experienced challenging days at work, but I have always enjoyed the practice of law and I have been exceptionally well supported personally and professionally by family and friends. I have found that in times of personal difficulty and loss, I have had the structure and stability of work to anchor me. I am also cognisant that some of the opportunities that have been available to me were not readily available to the hard-working women of the Strk and Marinkovich families in the generations before my own. What are the challenges of being a judicial officer that the public doesn’t necessarily see?

Since August 2016, I have had the privilege of serving as the Principal Registrar, an acting master, an acting judge and now as a judge of the Supreme Court. Each role has presented its own unique challenges and pressures. The pressure to produce considered written reasons in a timely way, while attending to competing demands and urgent hearings appears to be a universal judicial experience. While there are many pressures, it is usually the pressure I put on myself that causes the most angst. However, I have experienced the court to be an exceptionally collegial institution. I have found all those who serve here to be generous with their experience and assistance.

What aspect of the role of Principal registrar did your Honour most enjoy?

While the duties and responsibilities of the Principal Registrar are varied and dynamic, I particularly enjoyed developing new processes and practice directions intended to better facilitate the administration of and access to justice. The search for improvement and efficiencies within the court is constant. For example, the court continues to review and tailor its processes to better manage reports and evidence by experts. In an increasingly complex world, parties and the court benefit from the facilitation and oversight of expert conferral sessions by the court’s registrars. The facilitation process continues to improve the comprehensibility of expert evidence and the efficiency with which expert evidence is received and tested as part of the adjudicative process. As I reflect on the role, I think it is important to acknowledge the exceptional work performed by the registrars of the Supreme Court. For 5 years I have had the privilege of working with dedicated registrars and acting registrars who each have sought to diligently serve the administration of justice. They are talented case managers, interlocutory decision makers, mediators, facilitators of expert conferrals and taxing officers. They attend to over 7000 applications for probate each year, 400 mediations, numerous examinations and applications to access the court’s records, while providing procedural assistance to litigants in person and significant support to the judiciary in the conduct of long and complex trials. Three of the registrars are also concurrently appointed as Magistrates for the purposes of Magistrates Court Stirling Gardens, dealing with proceedings in respect of Supreme Court indictable matters. They also facilitate the court’s voluntary criminal case conferencing process. With skill, nuance and empathy, the registrars attend to an ever-expanding scope of work. It was only after joining the court that I came to understand the extent of their contribution.

Has much progress been made for women having equal opportunities?

I am by nature an optimist and I am encouraged by the progress that has been made in recent years. That said, I acknowledge that as a profession, particularly in the senior roles, we are not as diverse as the community we serve. Each of us has a role to play, particularly in creating safe workplaces and by nurturing and promoting cultural, racial, religious, age, sexual orientation and gender diversity in those workplaces. What advice would your Honour like to give to junior legal professionals?

I would suggest approaching every task, matter, conversation and appearance (however straightforward) as an opportunity to learn and to build your reputation as a conscientious and diligent practitioner. Take the time to prepare but also to reflect on what went well or not so well and why. Self-awareness is important, so make reflection a habit. Secondly, community is key. Spend as much time as possible working with and being supervised by senior members of the profession. Observing how an experienced practitioner works through an issue; structures their advice; or frames a difficult conversation is an excellent way to learn. Finally, invest in the profession, volunteer your time and be prepared to assist your colleagues. You get what you give. “I acknowledge that as a profession, particularly in the senior roles, we are not as diverse as the community we serve. Each of us has a role to play, particularly in creating safe workplaces and by nurturing and promoting cultural, racial, religious, age, sexual orientation and gender diversity in those workplaces.”

Does your Honour have any humorous anecdotes about colleagues in the profession?

Many. But I fear that if I share them with you, those colleagues will seek retribution by sharing their anecdotes of me in your next edition.

What does your Honour you like to read in your down time?

For over 25 years, I have been a contrite bookclub member. Each month, I diligently buy the book, but completion can be a bit hit and miss. As a result, books are always piled high on my bedside table, occasionally posing a risk to small dogs and children. I recently enjoyed Damascus by Christos Tsiolkas so much that I purchased copies for three friends. I also like to read whatever my son is reading, which has allowed me to revisit old favourites. We recently read The Giver by Lois Lowry. The best part of my week is usually Sunday afternoon, enjoying some quiet couch time with family, books and blankets.

Last night my novel was bumped for Ms Represented with Annabel Crabb. I am very likely to be found this weekend enjoying a repeat viewing.