The trial of five former heads of Bridgecorp is facing a further delay, partly because another one of the defendants is applying for tax-payer funded legal representation.
Bridgecorp collapsed in 2007 owing investors more than $450 million.
The trial for Rod Petricevic, Robert Roest, Bruce Davidson, Gary Urwin and Peter Steigrad was set down for next week.
But lawyers for Mr Urwin, who is holidaying in Sydney, told the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday that their client has applied for legal aid.
Mr Roest previously had an application for legal aid accepted. Mr Petricevic had had his request for a taxpayer-funded lawyer turned down.
Mr Petricevic says he now has a lawyer, Charles Cato, and Justice Venning has delayed the trial for three weeks while Mr Cato prepares for it.
