Lawyers for Bruce Lehrmann told the ACT Supreme Court during a mentions hearing on Monday they hoped such an application would be made.

It comes after legal concerns Lehrmann would not be able to receive a fair trial due to the publicity surrounding the case.

While Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued an apology to Ms Higgins and other victims of sexual harassment in Parliament House earlier this month, the prime minister’s office later clarified the comments were not a reflection on matters before the court.

When asked by Acting Chief Justice Michael Elkaim whether a permanent stay would be applied for, Lehrmann’s lawyer, John Korn, told the court there had not been any talk of making an application.

“At the moment, there is no application on foot for a variety of reasons,” he said.

“At the moment, that’s all I can say. That’s not to say there won’t be – hopefully there will be.”

Mr Korn said should an application for a permanent stay be made, a different legal team would be involved in the matter.

Acting Chief Justice Elkaim said an application should be made by the middle of March.

ACT director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold told the court it was the first time he had heard of a potential permanent stay application.

Another mentions hearing is set for March 10.

Elkaim told lawyers for Lehrmann the position on the permanent stay should be made known at the next hearing.

The matter is still set for a four-week trial to start on June 6.