Bruce Lehrmann trial set for July 2026 after judicial warning

A judge has issued a warning to the legal teams of political staffer Bruce Lehrmann regarding further delays in his upcoming rape trial. Judge Dennis Lynch of the Toowoomba District Court has set a provisional trial start date of July 26, 2026.

Lehrmann, 31, is accused of twice raping a woman at a residence in regional Queensland in 2021. The trial, originally scheduled to begin this Monday, was abandoned in late October after Lehrmann’s solicitor, Zali Burrows, informed the court that she had been unable to secure a barrister for his defense.

Judge Lynch emphasized that the matter has a long history and must progress, stating, “I expect both parties to do everything necessary so that there is no further adjournment of the trial.” He instructed Ms. Burrows to provide the name of the appointed barrister to the court and prosecutor Caroline Marco as soon as possible.

Lehrmann was charged in January 2023 and was committed to stand trial in July 2024. While he has not yet entered a plea, his legal representative has indicated he will contest the charges. Lehrmann remains on bail.