The nature of legal cases is inherently complex. Our judicial system and the leadership of policymakers need to handle the complexity of these cases. Recent high-profile cases and findings from inquiries into the ACT justice system have shown areas for improvement. We should aim to design a judicial system that is more accessible and delivers fairer outcomes.
Take the Lehrmann case, for example. The way it was handled revealed major issues in how our justice system deals with high-profile cases, from managing evidence to treating the people involved. Another example is the case of Stephen Mitchell, the rock-climbing instructor who got a surprisingly light sentence for serious offenses, which led to public outcry and showed inconsistencies in sentencing.
These examples show why we need a judicial system that is fair and transparent. By fixing these problems, we can rebuild public trust and make sure justice is served equally. We need thorough reforms to create a legal system that can handle complex cases and deliver outcomes that reflect our society's values.