Federal court refuses extended deadline for Bruce Lehrmann's defamation appeal lawyer to prepare
Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer, Zali Burrows, has repeatedly requested the federal court to postpone his defamation appeal to prepare more thoroughly, but justices have rejected the requests, telling her she has had 'plenty' of time. The court heard that Lehrmann could not afford his chosen barrister, Guy Reynolds, for the appeal. The appeal challenges Justice Michael Lee’s April 2024 ruling that found Lehrmann was not defamed by Lisa Wilkinson and Network 10 in a 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins, where Higgins alleged she was raped in Parliament House. Lehrmann claims that Network 10’s decision not to name him as the alleged rapist was a 'crafted strategy' to boost ratings and create a 'whodunnit' effect. The court has warned Burrows she must start her reply to submissions immediately, as she had already received 'indulgence' to commence her reply later than scheduled. Lehrmann was charged with sexual intercourse without consent in 2021 but dropped charges after his criminal trial in 2022 was aborted due to health concerns.