Barrister Lloyd Babb is reviewing how to improve state’s justice system
Guy Barnett, Tasmania’s attorney-general and justice minister, has announced that Lloyd Babb, who is conducting a third-party review of backlogs in the state’s court system this year, has commenced the review’s public consultation period, which ends on 15 April 2026.
The public consultation process – which runs approximately four weeks, beginning on 18 March 2026 – aims to allow all community members to provide their input and submissions on matters relevant to the review.
“Access to justice is a cornerstone of our society, and Mr Babb’s work is supporting the operation of the legal system by identifying practical solutions to reduce delays, improve efficiency, and ensure timely outcomes for all court users,” Barnett said in a media release.
The review seeks to develop practical solutions and formulate recommendations to ensure that all Tasmanians can access an efficient and effective civil and criminal justice system and to help the state’s courts timely finalise proceedings.
“Court delays, particularly in criminal matters, have real and lasting impacts, including on victim-survivors,” Barnett said in the media release. “While the Government and Courts have implemented various strategies to reduce backlogs, ongoing pressures remain and require a sustained, system-wide response.”
With a systems approach, Babb will look into possible ways to manage existing backlogs in pending matters, single out strategies and mechanisms for supporting case flow, and establish a framework for assessing the effectiveness of new strategies.
“I want to thank Mr Babb for taking on this role, and urge members of their community to have their say and make a submission,” Barnett said in the Tasmanian government’s media release.
An Australian barrister who served as director of public prosecutions in New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Babb will engage with stakeholders and consider submissions received during the public consultation process to develop a backlog action plan.
The state government expects him to deliver the final report to it by 30 June 2026.
“Mr Babb’s professional background includes extensive experience in criminal law, prosecution and justice system administration,” Barnett said in a previous media release. “Mr Babb SC is highly qualified for this work and holds current and relevant experience.”
