Lehrmann's high-profile defamation case over media reports regarding the rape claim is set to come to a head on Wednesday with an 18-day hearing scheduled to begin in the Federal Court.
The law student is suing Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over a report on the sexual assault allegations aired on The Project in June 2021.
He is also suing the Australian Broadcasting Corporation over the live broadcast of a joint speech by Ms Higgins and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame at the National Press Club in February 2022.
Mr Lehrmann is seeking damages and aggravated damages, claiming the reports defamed him and destroyed his reputation.
Ms Higgins claims Mr Lehrmann sexually assaulted her in the Parliament House office of their then-boss, defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, in 2019, an allegation he denies.
The criminal trial in the ACT Supreme Court over Ms Higgins' rape allegations was derailed by juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a second trial due to concerns over her mental health.
A landmark report into the ACT legal system and the Higgins case was released in August, making damning findings against now ex-director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold over his conduct during the case.
Mr Drumgold has filed his own legal challenge to overturn these findings.
Mr Lehrmann has separately been accused of raping another woman twice in Toowoomba in October 2021.
That criminal case is still in the committal stage and he is yet to enter a plea, but his lawyers have indicated that he denies the charges.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
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