Network Ten has applied to reopen and introduce fresh evidence to the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case just days before the judgment is due to be handed down.
Network Ten’s lawyers lodged an interlocutory application on Sunday seeking the high-profile case be reopened so fresh evidence can be admitted for Justice Michael Lee’s consideration.
Justice Lee is due to hand down his judgment on the multi-million dollar case in the Federal Court on Thursday after weighing up evidence from the month long trial.
The application will be heard by Justice Lee at 5pm on Tuesday.
Mr Lehrmann is suing Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over a February 2021 report on The Project where Brittany Higgins was interviewed about her alleged raped in a Parliament House office in March 2019.
He is seeking extensive damages, saying those reports have destroyed his reputation.
The trial against Ten concluded in December while Justice Lee deliberated the significant amount of evidence presented during the case.
Mr Lehrmann also sued News Corp and the ABC over their coverage of Ms Higgins’ allegations.
Both these cases have settled, with the ex-Liberal staffer receiving $445,000 in legal costs under the agreements.
