The Bob Brown Foundation's legal challenge against the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement has been expedited and will appear before a full bench of the Federal Court before December 18.
A directions hearing was held on Monday in which the court agreed to give the matter priority, ensuring a quicker outcome. The earliest date it could be heard is November 23.
The complexity of the case meant it would appear before the full bench, rather than a single Federal Court judge.
EXPLAINER:
The case centres on two main arguments against the validity of the Tasmanian RFA.
The first is that it does not include "legally binding relations" over reserve systems and ecologically sustainable forest management, and the second is that it allows the Tasmanian Government to amend these matters at its own discretion.
A decision is likely in early 2021.
The matter has already resulted in an agreement by Sustainable Timber Tasmania to halt logging in 19 coupes for the duration of the proceedings following an injunction application from the Bob Brown Foundation.