Ten has painted themselves into a corner arguing they are not responsible for her interests yet also suggesting that being unrepresented at the defamation hearing she would be denied procedural fairness in any adverse findings on her credibility.
Hence the Justice is tempted to recall Higgins for re-examination to give her fair opportunity to explain her inconsistencies. Can't see how he can rule on the case without her credibility or otherwise first being established.
If nothing else, this development adds further weight for the NACC to investigate the basis on which the Commonwealth paid Higgins out.
