Supreme court to rule on future of NSW Liberal party branch by Monday

If the supreme court decides the NSW Liberal state executive members cease to hold office, the federal division will step in and take control, giving PM Scott Morrison a greater say over preselection of candidates. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Advice that most members of state executive of the New South Wales Liberal party would cease to hold office next Monday would do “significant violence” to the principles of the party, the state’s supreme court has heard.

On Thursday, the chief justice of the supreme court in equity, Julie Ward, reserved her decision in an urgent case which will determine the future of the NSW branch of the Liberal party.