People's access to proper justice within the legal system could be at risk if significant strains faced by lawyers aren't addressed, a report has found.
The research, which surveyed more than 200 legal professionals and students in Tasmania, has been described as a "wake-up call" for the state government.
Many respondents said there were compounding problems leading to a shortage of criminal lawyers, with 70 per cent describing a lack of financial reward and half a poor work-life balance.
Most respondents who previously worked in criminal law said they quit within their first three years of practice.
They said issues, including inadequate legal aid funding and outdated court systems, impacted their ability to support the timely administration of justice.
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Sign up"If not addressed, these issues will continue to inhibit the proper functioning of the criminal justice system," the University of Tasmania report says.
"(It will) put access to justice for all Tasmanians at risk."
The backlog of cases in the Supreme Court of Tasmania has climbed from 711 cases in 2020/21 to 912 in 2024/25, the court's most recent annual report says.
One high-profile case, the alleged murder of 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell in 2023, has yet to reach trial despite charges being laid in July of that year.
Tasmania has the lowest number of solicitors per capita of any Australian jurisdiction, according to a 2022 Law Society of NSW report.
Law Society of Tasmania president Amelia Higgs said the recent research should be a wake-up call for the government.
"Talented, committed lawyers want to do this work, but the system is making it harder and harder for them to stay," she said, adding it wasn't a case of just wanting more money.
"It is ultimately the community and often our most vulnerable members of society who are worst affected by these issues."
The report makes 20 recommendations, including increasing legal aid funding and strengthening mental health and wellbeing support for practitioners.
Former NSW director of public prosecutions Lloyd Babb SC is working on a report for the state government about how to decrease the backlog.
The government has been contacted for further comment.
Attorney-General Guy Barnett in March said action was being taken to deliver an efficient and effective justice system.
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