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Writer's pictureSam Wilks

Access to Justice: How Regulatory Overload Delays Court Proceedings


The concept of justice in the context of regulatory overload and tribunal appointments reminds us of the philosophical debates surrounding fairness and the rule of law. The system, bogged down by excessive regulations, struggles, if not evidently fails, to uphold the principles of fairness and equality before the law. Bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies disproportionately affect the least advantaged, those who cannot afford better representation.


The appointment of inexperienced government officials to civil administration tribunals has evidently led to decisions that lack in-depth legal understanding and consistency, completely undermining the moral fabric of the judicial system.


From an economic viewpoint, over-regulation has stifled efficiency and innovation, leading to slower economic growth and reduced societal welfare. In the context of the judicial system, this translates to prolonged tribunal and court proceedings and delayed justice. In recent times, building issues before the civil administration tribunal in the NT have only just ended without final cost resolutions, over six years after they started, and far outside statute limitations for legal recourse, leaving the applicants financially vulnerable due to government delays.


The creation of civil administration tribunals, while intended to streamline the legal process, instead resulted in additional layers of bureaucracy, ultimately slowing down the process they were meant to expedite. The frustration and disillusionment resulting from delayed justice have profound psychological effects on individuals, eroding trust in the system and leading to disenfranchisement. In past cases in the NT Civil Administration tribunals, delegates argued "standing" to seek to avoid hearing contentious disputes rather than the merits of the case, providing yet further evidence of corruption, ineptitude, or incompetence by tribunal delegates.


The societal impact of a cumbersome legal system is obvious. When justice is delayed or perceived as unfair, it leads to a breakdown in social order and an increase in cynicism towards governmental institutions.


I've personally written in-depth about criminal behaviour, which underscores the importance of a swift and efficient judicial system in deterring crime. Prolonged court proceedings undermine the deterrent effect of the legal system. There is a need for a robust and responsive legal framework to ensure public safety and trust. This is particularly relevant when considering the role of civil administration tribunals in handling cases that may have significant economic implications.


An examination of the building sector in Australia provides ample evidence where excessive regulations have led to significant delays in court proceedings. Where the legal complexities have resulted in a backlog of cases.


The consequences of appointing inexperienced officials and delegates in the civil administration tribunals are blatantly obvious when looking at decisions related to many real estate and building matters, several of which have been in direct contravention of the Acts associated with them and showcase the pitfalls of the current system.


Several realistic reforms to the system would be:


Streamlining Regulations: The simplification of legal regulations. This would involve identifying and eliminating redundant or overly complex regulations that contribute to delays in the judicial process.


Removing Civil administration tribunals: The experiment failed; it failed drastically and empowered the very people that should never, ever be allowed to make decisions on legal matters. Moreso, it increased the number of activist decisions pushing political ideology rather than fairness. If there was any "after" review, it should be on the very accountability of those who made such drastic and economically devastating decisions. They should be required to face civil liability for them.


Addressing Psychological and Societal Impacts: It's important to consider the broader societal and psychological implications of a slow judicial process. Public trust in the legal system can be bolstered by ensuring more transparent, efficient, and fair proceedings.


In Australia, environmental law cases often exemplify the problem of regulatory overload. For instance, cases involving land use or natural resource management can become mired in complex regulatory frameworks, leading to lengthy court battles. This not only delays justice but also hampers economic development and environmental protection efforts.


The Australian immigration tribunal system also deserves criticism for decisions that reflect a lack of deep legal expertise. Some decisions have been overturned on appeal due to procedural errors or misinterpretations of the law, highlighting the need for more experienced appointees, or I would advocate the removal of these pseudo-legal entities completely.


Addressing the challenges of regulatory overload requires a multifaceted approach. By streamlining regulations, removing evidently inept tribunals, and considering the broader societal impacts, Australia can move towards a more efficient and fair judicial system. The Australian legal system, by embracing these basic reforms, would better serve its fundamental purpose of delivering timely and just outcomes for all.


However, in a corrupt and incompetently politicised judicial system, its an industry based on "jobs" at the moment. Worse, through the use of administration tribunals, political ideology has removed a sense of justice or fairness from the legal system in place, and the majority of Australians are acutely aware of it. From the author.


The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security Consultant with almost 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organizations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.

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