An independent inquiry into how police and prosecutors handled ex-Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins' rape allegations is designed to restore public confidence in the ACT's criminal justice system.
Former Queensland solicitor-general and court of appeal boss Walter Sofrnoff will investigate if police, the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Victims of Crime Commissioner breached their duties through the investigation.
He'll report to Andrew Barr by June 30, with the ACT Chief Minister suggesting findings were likely to be released in August.
Released on Wednesday, the terms of reference include investigation if any police failed to act in line with their duties when investigating allegations Ms Higgins was raped by former work colleague Bruce Lehrmann.
Mr Lehrmann was tried in the ACT Supreme Court last year, but juror misconduct led to a mistrial.
The prosecution later dropped the charges against Mr Lehrmann because of concerns about the impact a second trial would have on Ms Higgins' mental health.
Mr Lehrmann had consistently denied the allegation and no findings were made against him.
He has engaged lawyers for potential defamation action over statements, broadcasts and social media posts about him.
The inquiry will investigate police dealings with the DPP and Mr Lehrmann's lawyers, and look at how a letter from ACT DPP Shane Drumgold to ACT police chief Neil Gaughan was made public.
In the letter Mr Drumgold alleged police had pressured him not to charge Ms Higgins' former work colleague Bruce Lehrmann.
ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said it was important to remember the inquiry was not a retrial of the case.
"The ACT government acknowledges the need for public confidence in the criminal justice system ... there has been a series of commentary and release of documents that have given people some question and concern," he told reporters.
"The terms of reference are drafted to give ... significant latitude to ask the questions he needs ... we've not sought to define the questions he should ask, simply did they fulfil their duties?"
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he was confident Mr Sofronoff would deliver "a thorough and respectful independent inquiry".
"The allegations and complaints made against our criminal justice agencies are serious," he said.
"Mr Sofronoff is a highly regarded legal expert with experience leading sensitive inquiries throughout his career."
The inquiry was announced after Mr Drumgold claimed police pressured him to abandon the trial, raising concerns about "political and police conduct" in the case.
But the police union brushed off the allegations and said Mr Drumgold's office had compromised the trial.
