Tasmanian Government: Implement Lloyd Babb Report's Court Backlog Review Recommendations

• The Tasmanian government has published the final report of a third-party review of backlogs in the state's court system, led by Lloyd Babb.
• The review aimed to identify contributors to delays and find practical opportunities for timely resolution of criminal matters.
• The recommendations from the report focus on disclosure processes, workforce capability, information technology, and longer-term monitoring of court performance.
• The implementation of the 20 recommendations could have significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers in Tasmania.

The review aimed to identify contributors to delays and find practical opportunities for timely resolution of criminal matters.

The Tasmanian government has published the final report of a third-party review of backlogs in the state's court system, led by Lloyd Babb. The review aimed to identify contributors to delays and find practical opportunities for timely resolution of criminal matters. Babb consulted with 64 stakeholders and considered 24 written submissions as part of his review. The recommendations from the report focus on disclosure processes, workforce capability, information technology, and longer-term monitoring of court performance.

The review was commissioned by Guy Barnett, Tasmania's deputy premier, attorney-general, and justice minister, in January 2026. Babb commenced the public consultation period on 18 March 2026, which wrapped up on 15 April 2026.

The recommendations from the report are intended to inform the Tasmanian government's efforts to reform and improve the state's justice sector and court system. The review was part of a broader effort to address backlogs in Tasmania's courts, which have been a concern for several years. In 2025, the Law Society of Tasmania announced the election of Amelia Higgs as its new president, who has been a council member since 2021.

The Judicial Council of Tasmania, established by Barnett in July 2026, is also working to address issues within the justice sector. The council opened to receiving complaints on 1 July 2026, following the commencement of the Judicial Commissions Act 2024.

The implementation of the 20 recommendations from the report could have significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers in Tasmania. The recommendations focus on disclosure processes, workforce capability, information technology, and longer-term monitoring of court performance, which could impact the way courts operate and the resources available to them.

As the Tasmanian government considers implementing these recommendations, it is essential that stakeholders understand their potential implications for the justice sector and court system. The report's findings and recommendations provide a critical opportunity for reform and improvement in Tasmania's justice sector.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential implementation of these 20 recommendations, which could impact disclosure processes, workforce capability, and information technology in Tasmanian courts.

Source: Original reporting via Australasian Lawyer