An order is being sought to restrain Sydney barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, who is acting on behalf of rape-accused Industry, Science and Technology Minister Christian Porter in his defamation case against the ABC, reports the Sydney Morning herald.

Adelaide Writers Week director Jo Dyer, the friend of the Adelaide woman who accused the former attorney-general of rape, was a debater with the woman in the late 80s. She has filed an urgent application in the Federal Court to restrain Ms Chrysanthou from representing her client on the basis that she had previously advised Ms Dyer on a separate matter.

The defamation lawyer is well-known for her success in defending a string of famous clients embroiled in defamation cases, including actor Geoffrey Rush and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. She is now part of the team, headed by prominent silk Bret Walker, SC, which has assembled in the defamation case against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan.

Barrister Noel Hutley, SC, appearing for Ms Chrysanthou, said his client “will give evidence that she has in effect no substantive recollection of what is said to have been reported to her” by Ms Dyer.

READ MORE: Sue Chrysanthou represents Christian Porter in defamation case, fresh from representing Higgins

“That’s been the subject of correspondence between solicitors… My client’s position is that she is a member of the bar. She is an officer of the court. She will do anything that the court thinks she ought to do.”

Mr Porter is accused of having raped a woman when he was 17 and she was 16 and they were both student debators.

In a statement released by his solicitor Rebekah Giles, Mr Porter said he is “concerned about the timing” of the application.

“It has been widely known for two months that Sue has been acting as my counsel in this well publicised matter — yet the action has come shortly before court appearances on significant issues in the proceedings and over eight weeks after they were commenced,” he said in the statement.

“I am therefore concerned about the timing of this application.”

The case is to be heard in the week beginning May 24, shortly before a crucial hearing in Mr Porter’s defamation case.