Network Ten has applied to re-open Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case, seeking to introduce fresh evidence just days before a decision was set to be handed down.

The details of the fresh evidence have not been revealed.

But the court has agreed to hear the application, with the hearing listed for 5pm on Tuesday.

A document dated Easter Sunday has been published by the Federal Court from Network Ten lawyers seeking leave to re-open their defence of Mr Lehrmann’s case.

Mr Lehrmann is suing Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over an interview with Brittany Higgins on The Project about allegations she had been raped in Parliament House in 2019.

Mr Lehrmann was not named in the segment but claimed he was identifiable from the interview, and had therefore been defamed.

His criminal trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and there remain no findings against him.

Justice Michael Lee heard weeks of evidence in the case, where Network Ten sought to prove truth in its reporting, leading to aspects of Ms Higgins’s allegation of rape being aired once again in court.

The media organisation is also arguing a defence of qualified privilege, saying the story was a matter of public importance and the preparation of the television segment was reasonable.

Justice Lee was due to deliver his decision on the defamation case on Thursday.