Bruce Lehrmann's appeal in the Federal Court has seen his legal team challenge the conduct of the trial judge and the media's handling of his defamation case.

Council of the City of Sydney

Bruce Lehrmann's appeal at the Federal Court continued, with his lawyer, Zali Burrows, criticising the conduct of the judge in his defamation trial. Burrows argued that Justice Lee went beyond his role by conducting his own fact-finding mission and effectively creating a new case. The lawyer also described the trial as resembling a quasi-rape trial, despite being a civil matter.

Burrows further criticised the media's coverage, particularly 'The Project', for presenting the story as a 'whodunit' to generate public interest, even though Lehrmann was not named. The case has drawn widespread attention, with Brittany Higgins commenting on the proceedings online.

Bruce Lehrmann's appeal continues after failed defamation case

Day two of Bruce Lerman's appeal at the Federal Court. Bruce, how do you feel it's going? I've got no comment. He arrived with his lawyer, Zali Burrows, who yesterday told court he topped the Aussie hate list. Do you truly believe you are Australia's most hated man? But his lawyer had plenty to say today about the defamation trial judge. With respect to Justice Lee, he is a very famous judge. We submit he should not have gone on his own fact-finding mission, saying he made a new case up. As for the trial he ran, although this is a defamation case, it also pretty much was a quasi-rape trial, even though this is just a civil case. Mr Lerman maintains his innocence, but last year Justice Lee found, on the balance of probabilities, the former Liberal staffer had raped his colleague Brittany Higgins at a Linda Reynolds Parliament House office. Ms Burrows also hit out in her written submission to court, stating the project story had been aired as a whodunit. It did not name Mr Lerman something she labelled disingenuous, a crafted strategy to maximise ratings. Ask who committed a crime with the effect of creating a greater public interest. Create chatter, a buzz. Ms Burrows argued that put the primary focus back on the alleged perpetrator. In her words, it achieved an alluring air of mystery, akin to a whodunit. Thousands have watched this court case online. Brittany Higgins today posting, if it wasn't so serious, it would be funny. Ali Donaldson, 10 News.

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