Appeal judges ‘struggle to understand’ case by Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer over distinctions in rape

Zali Burrows told she has had ‘plenty’ of opportunity to consider issue in case despite repeated requests to adjourn early

Appeal judges have “struggled to understand” the case made by Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer, who says the federal court judgment that her client raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 found the action was a “soft rape” but was characterised in a Network Ten broadcast as a “violent” assault.

Sydney criminal solicitor Zali Burrows – representing Lehrmann because, as the court heard Wednesday, he “couldn’t afford” his chosen barrister – submitted that her client was not given an opportunity to be questioned about the type of rape found by Justice Michael Lee.