Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs After several years of document swaps and interim judgments, the WA Supreme Court had reserved dates for a civil trial which was due to run in Perth from May 1 until mid-June.But there were fresh doubts about whether that trial would proceed as planned on Monday, with the company’s lawyer Patricia Cahill, SC, seeking to push the matter back to allow more time for expert evidence.Cahill proposed splitting the trial — which the parties anticipate could run for between four and six weeks — between May, June and November.But Gallagher and Siford’s lawyer Anthony Willage lobbied against the move, proposing that if the variation was granted the entire trial should be pushed back to November 10 or deferred until 2026.Willinge claimed the defendants risked being prejudiced by splitting the trial.Justice Matthew Howard said the dates proposed presented a conflict that would force him to hand over carriage of the matter to another judge.Both parties were ordered to present new potential trial dates before another hearing on Wednesday.Lawyers for Forge Group and the defendants have set aside four weeks to embark on a privately-funded mediation ahead of the trial.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
