The Northern Territory Children's Commissioner accused of abusing her office by attempting to hire a friend, may spend up to six weeks on trial when her case is aired before a jury.
Colleen Gwynne has been charged with one count of Abuse of Office, relating to the recruitment of an Assistant Children's Commissioner in 2018.
In a short pre-trial hearing before Justice Southwood on Wednesday, Crown Prosecutor Victoria Engel told the court the prolonged trial was due to a "significant" number of witnesses and alleged events taking place over a "significant period of time."
"There's not just the one particular incident that will be placed before the jury, so there is a number of different acts relied on as part of the context to the allegation," Ms Engel said.
Ms Engel told the court the prosecution expected the trial could be finished within four weeks, but six was more likely.
Prosecutors were ordered to provide a list of witnesses and their statements to the court within two weeks, while Ms Gwynne's defence lawyers said they would provide a "short note" of their objections.
"A large part of the material relates to uncharged acts which are sought to be relied upon … there is a point reached where we say there is a lack of relevance," Defence barrister Philip Boulton SC said.
"So one of the pretrial issues we would want to agitate is exactly how much of this evidence is to be admitted," Mr Boulton said.
Ms Gwynne's barrister also raised the possibility of an interstate justice being flown in to preside over the trial, after the Darwin Local Court engaged Queensland Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett to preside over the committal hearing.
Justice Southwood said he would "cross that bridge when [he's] seen the witness list."
The court heard the trial is unlikely to take place until 2023, due to the length of time required.
Colleen Gwynne is currently on leave from her role as Children's Commissioner.
Ms Gwynne's case will return to court on May 17.
