A trial date has been set for the high-profile defamation battle between Liberal senator Linda Reynolds and her former political collaborator Brittany Higgins.
The former defense minister, who plans to retire from politics at the next election, is suing Higgins over a series of social media posts which she says have damaged her reputation.
Mediation failed to resolve the case, which returned to the Washington Supreme Court for a directions hearing Wednesday.
A trial date was agreed on August 2, and the matter was set to last four to five weeks to accommodate more than 20 witnesses and parliamentary sitting dates.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison could be called as a witness, the senator’s lawyer previously said, along with other members of the federal Liberal Party including senators Michaelia Cash and Wendy Askew.
Although a trial date has been set, the parties could choose to try mediation again to resolve the case.
Senator Reynolds said last week she was determined to get justice for the alleged defamation and that Ms Higgins’ claims had “taken a huge toll on my physical and mental health”.
Brittany Higgins (pictured) is being sued by her ex-boss over a series of social media posts
He said it was essential that all parties accept Federal Court Judge Michael Lee’s findings about Bruce Lehrmann “so that the many people who have been harmed by this entire saga can obtain justice and peace.”
She also said it was possible a deal could still be reached and called on Higgins to admit she was wrong and apologize.
In April, Judge Lee handed down his ruling in Lehrmann’s defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
On the balance of probabilities he found that Lehrmann raped Mrs Higgins, but that the charge of political cover-up “was objectively short on facts but long on speculation”.
Linda Reynolds (pictured) will return to court in August for her defamation trial against her former political staffer.
Lehrmann files an appeal against the ruling of the Federal Court.
Senator Reynolds was also pursuing Mr Sharaz for defamation but announced in April that he would no longer fight the case and consented to the sentencing.
The former minister claimed he had also defamed her in a series of social media posts.
Sharaz was ordered to delete three tweets, a Facebook post and an Instagram story from 2022 and 2023.
The damages Mr Sharaz will have to pay following his admission will be decided after Ms Higgins’ defamation trial.
Lehrmann denies the sexual assault allegation. Her criminal trial was canceled due to jury misconduct and Ms. Higgins’ mental health was cited as a reason for not holding a new trial.
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National Support Service for Reparation and Sexual Abuse 1800 211 028